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	Photo by Bill Green A line forms Tuesday across the parking lot outside Hillside Turkey Farms’ Thurmont shop as hundreds of customers wait to purchase their Thanksgiving turkey. Four generations of the Smith family have operated the family business on Elm Street since 1939 and many of those in line have returned each year for the fresh birds.

With more than 20 people inside the store Tuesday and that many in line outside, owner Judy Smith said, "This is the normal crowd."

Customers ordered their turkeys ahead of time and could pick them up Monday, Tuesday or today. The list of customers this year is 50 pages long.

High-quality turkey was first on the minds of customers who explained why they stand in line for a bird.

"Absolutely the best in the world," said Libby Stauffer of Frederick . "My mother always got turkeys here. It's a family tradition."

She was heading home with a 13-pounder.

That was nothing compared with the 33-pound behemoth Don Carr lugged to the trunk of his car. He was picking up three birds for different people.

Carr said he comes every year from Ijamsville for "the best turkeys around."

Toni Loudon of Thurmont was in line to get a bird to feed nine: her family, visiting parents and in-laws.

Next to Loudon, keeping up with business on his Blackberry, was EGA Electronics owner Joel Weiss of Thurmont . Taking time from the nearby family business, he said he was picking up a turkey for his daughter, who works with him.

He said he would be eating the turkey, too.

Hillside has dedicated customers including Marie Davis, who owns the Carriage Inn in Charles Town, W.Va., and Bonnie Morris of Frederick . They met in line.

For Davis, Hillside turkeys are a five-year tradition. Morris said she has been coming to Thurmont for 25 years, starting back when she lived in Kensington.

"It's consistent quality," Morris said.

"It's also reasonable," Davis said, referring to the price.

"My turkey is going to Pennsylvania," Morris said. She will cook it for her grown children.

Cindy Stegle of Frederick was a little surprised at the line, but not troubled.

"It's worth it," she said. She shops at Hillside regularly, not just for Thanksgiving turkey.

She got a bonus on Tuesday. Eileen Hickey of Frederick called her name from behind her in line.

"Cindy?"

The two old friends hadn't seen each other since their now college-age children were in elementary school. Hickey and Stegle got caught up on family history while they made their way to the cashier.

Hickey owns The Orchard restaurant in Frederick . She said Hillside turkeys are special.

"They taste so different," Hickey said. "There's a reason there's a line here."

Gesturing to the chatting crowd inside her store, Smith said, "They have a good time in line."