Heat, humidity didn't deter shoppers
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

L-N Photo by Shannon Crabtree Pondering A Purchase El Campo resident Cathy Dornak was one of more than 2,000 shoppers browsing the offerings at the El Campo Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture's annual Christmas Mall at the Civic Center last weekend.

More than 2,000 shoppers marched through the El Campo Civic Center this weekend hunting unique holiday gifts for family and friends.

The event was one of the better turnouts for the annual event, El Campo Chamber of Commerce President Becca Socha said Monday.

"It was wonderful," she said, adding about 60 percent of vendors requested the same spot again next year - a sure sign of the steady retail trade in the building Saturday and Sunday.

Even the exceptionally warm weather last weekend didn't daunt the holiday shopping crowd.

"It's hard to get into the spirit when it is hot and humid, but they (shoppers) really came out on Sunday," Socha said. "And the retailers in town and the restaurants were busy this weekend as well."

Visitors came in from the Wharton and Bay City area as well as Columbus and Galveston, Socha said.

With the goal of making sure every visitor had the opportunity to view each of the more than 100 booths, the chamber made sure the crowd flow started in the Myatt rooms with jewelry and assorted holiday themed items before traveling through the Duson Room where food items were added to the offerings.

From there visitors entered the booth-packed Main Hall where dancing groups performed throughout each day.

The only real issue the Chamber would like to address next year, Socha said, is getting people, especially the elderly from their cars to the Civic Center and back.

"I'd like to approach the (Chamber) board with the idea of getting mules or golf carts next year to help people get to their cars," Socha said.