Aug. 8--Sheri Good of Knoxville usually avoids the crowds that come with Tennessee's annual sales tax holiday, but this year she opted to take advantage of the savings.

"We've gotten some good deals and saved on taxes. I'm pleased," said Good, who spent the day shopping for her three children at Target and West Town Mall.

School supplies, clothes and computers were among the items on many shopping lists Friday, which kicked off the state's fourth annual sales tax holiday, which runs through Sunday.

Shoppers pay no sales tax on clothing priced at $100 or less per item, school supplies priced at $100 or less and computers that cost $1,500 or less.

West Town Mall was a big winner as cars filled up parking spaces and people looked for deals at such retailers as Forever21 and Ambercrombie & Fitch. The Apple computer store opened an hour early and had a line all day, Area Mall Manager Tim Hill said.

"We're happy with the turnout. We expected it to be a good weekend with back-to-school and tax-free weekend," Hill said. "Having the one holiday really helped. It's a good thing for us. "

West Town and Knoxville Center malls scheduled a children's expo and fashion show to coincide with the holiday, and also moved up the Simon Kidgits Club Karnival to this weekend.

Officials at West Town Mall and Tanger Five Oaks in Sevierville said retail spending really picked up last weekend as some got ready for back-to-school and others simply got confused about the holiday.

"Last weekend, we were super busy. I think some people got confused because the holiday is usually the first weekend of the month," Tanger Manager Judith Huskey Balkcom said.

Liz Ridener drove down from Stearns, Ky., to take advantage of the holiday, hitting such stores as Hollister Co., Children's Place and Dillard's at West Town Mall with her sister and three children.

"We came down just for the day for the sales tax thing," said Ridener, who had a stroller full of bags of recently purchased clothes, shoes and a backpack.

Eddie Carballo, 18, a freshman who will be attending Tennessee Wesleyan College, estimates he saved about $50 on a laptop from Best Buy.

It was the only purchase Carballo, who went to the retailer with his sister Elaine and friend Conor Cook, expected to make the whole weekend.

"It's a pretty good deal not having to pay tax," Cook said.

Business writer Carly Harrington may be reached at 865-342-6317.

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