Thousands swarm to Bricktown for Bass Pro Shops opening

<br>(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Thousands swarmed into Bass Pro Shops' new Oklahoma City store Thursday morning for its grand opening. <br><br>A line stretched along the building in Bricktown before the

Thursday, November 20th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Thousands swarmed into Bass Pro Shops' new Oklahoma City store Thursday morning for its grand opening.

A line stretched along the building in Bricktown before the 9 AM opening. A few people even spent the night in sleeping bags outside the sporting goods store to be the first inside.

Receiving manager Dawn Purtle says Bass Pro expects about 4,000 people Thursday.

Besides 200 of its own employees, the store had about 25 workers from other Bass Pro Shops around the country, plus Boy Scouts and city volunteers.

Ray Nead and his son William planned to get off work today so they could be at the grand opening. Ray says finding a parking spot was tough, but worth it as they stood with hundreds of others at a bass tank to watch fishing demonstrations.