Campers already lined up at the new Cabela’s

The brand new Cabela’s is set to open Thursday morning in The Falls retail development at exit 5 off of I-81 in Bristol, VA.

The long awaited opening has drawn out the early birds, as there were already around 20 people camped out in line around 3pm on Wednesday to be the first ones thru the door when it opens. Doors will open at 10 a.m. Cabela’s grand-opening festivities will continue throughout the weekend with giveaways, special guests, family activities and more.

On Thursday, the first 500 customers in line, 18 years of age or older, will receive a Cabela’s gift card valued up to $500. The first 50 customers through the door Friday will receive a Cabela’s utility bag. On Saturday, the first 50 customers will receive a Cabela’s commemorative grand opening cap. And on Sunday, the first 50 customers will receive a Cabela’s tripod stool. Customers 18 years and older also can enter to win a $1,000 Cabela’s shopping spree sponsored by Pepsi or a new GoPro HERO4 Silver action camera.

The $500 gift card brought out many of the early campers. Jaimy Roquemore of Erwin arrived around 9am this morning, ” The $500 gift card, been excited about Cabela’s for a while. Kids need some shoes and need to get some other tings done. Come to try to get the $500 gift card.”

Hunter Bonner from South Carolina is first in line, “$500, get myself a nice kayak. I had nothing better to do, just decided why not….it’s always fun.”

Opening day will kick off with crowd entertainment at 7 a.m., and include giveaways; trivia games; appearances by TV & radio host, Laura Lynn and NASCAR Driver Landon Cassill; a live performance by country-music artist and Cabela’s Ambassador, Lucas Hoge; and the National Anthem performed by local recording-artist Kaitlyn Baker. An opening ceremony hosted by Cabela’s executives will begin at 9:45 a.m. and conclude with the grand-opening ribbon being cut by an arrow shot from a bow by local Cabela’s employee Tom Damianos.

The 82,000-square-foot store is located at 361 Cabela Drive near Exit 5 off Interstate 81 along Lee Highway. It is designed to surround customers in a fun, outdoor-like experience with log construction, stonework, a large mountain replica, aquarium, indoor archery range and dozens of museum-quality wildlife displays. Additionally, it includes a deli, fudge shop, boat shop, Gun Library, Bargain Cave and thousands of quality outdoor products.

To staff the new store, Cabela’s has employed more than 190 full-time, part-time and seasonal employees, most coming from Bristol and the surrounding area.

Store hours for opening weekend are: Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. And Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.Copyright 2015 WJHL. All rights reserved.