Alicia Kozak planned to fuel up her Ford F-150 at the Pantry Quik on Route 309 in South Tamaqua while she was on the way to breakfast with her mother.

When she saw long lines and people waving signs outside the gas station Friday, she thought twice about it — until she realized gas was selling for $2.38 per gallon.

“It was a surprise,” the Lansford woman said.

So instead of purchasing only $20 of gas, as she had originally planned, she filled up her tank.

The “gas drop” was organized by Americans for Prosperity Pennsylvania, and offered motorists discounted fuel between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

“They are paying the price that gas was when Joe Biden took office, which was $2.38 a gallon,” said Mary Beth Cirucci, AFP coalitions director.

Elsewhere in the Tamaqua area Friday, regular unleaded fuel was selling for between $3.09 and $3.19 per gallon. Across the state, AAA reported that motorists were paying $3.32 per gallon on Friday.

The Pantry Quik event was a stop on the AFP’s “Prosperity is Possible” tour. It brought a host of elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, state Sen. David Argall, state Rep. Jamie Barton and Schuylkill County commissioners, who listened to constituents’ inflation concerns.

“What we do is go around the country and do different events to educate people on the policies that are driving up inflation and the policies that bring prosperity back to America,” Cirucci said.

She noted that AFP always invites elected officials.

“It’s really important for elected officials to hear from real Americans and the issues they’re facing: buying groceries, buying gas, paying utility bills,” Cirucci said. “People are being told that inflation is going down but they’re forgetting that we are still a ways a way from where we were four years ago.”

Cirucci said AFP reimbursed the Pantry Quik for the gallons it had sold at the discounted price.

Traffic to the pumps was steady, and emergency officials were on hand to direct customers to and from the Dairy Road access to Pantry Quik.

One man said he was at the store earlier and learned that the gas price would be lowered.

He returned just before 11 a.m. to be one of the first in line.

Another man arrived in a classic car when the event was underway. He didn’t initially realize that gas prices were cut, but said it wouldn’t have helped him Friday since his car doesn’t take unleaded regular fuel.

As customers lined up, AFP representatives greeted them, and placed a “Golden Ticket” for the discounted gas under a windshield wiper.

Argall, at one point, waved a “Honk 4 Cheap Gas” sign on Route 309. Not surprisingly, many tooted their horns or turned into the convenience store.

County Commissioner Chairman Larry Padora said the event opened people’s eyes.

“I think this is a great event to get people to realize what gas was when (Donald) Trump was in office,” he said.