Special To The State

ELGIN – A large crowd estimated jammed U.S. 1 in this small Kershaw County town to eat catfish stew, watch a Christmas parade and listen to country and gospel music Saturday.

Mayor Jim Suggs praised the organizers of the fifth annual Catfish Stomp for their efforts in organizing the largest turnout, estimated at 1500, in the annual event.

Pete James, Stomp chairman, said the crowd that came from as far away as Greenville and Horry Counties was “a good orderly crown who we showed a lot of good family entertainment to.”

The 83-unit “Spirit of Christmas” parade included Best Band trophy winner A. C. Flora High School of Columbia, best “Spirit of Christmas” float winner Salem United Methodist Church of Elgin and best amature float winner Highway Pentecostal Holiness Church of Elgin.

The crowd was treated to five hours of entertainment, which included the Army Band from Fort Jackson, Pam Collins and her State and Junior Stompers, “Blackie” the talking cat, country and western singers, gospel singers and young dancers from Elgin Dance Academy. Blaney Baptist youths performed a short play entitled “God’s Kids.”

Winners in the Third Annual Catfish Run were Kelvin McDonald of Columbia with a time of 32 minutes and 4 seconds in the men’s 10,000-meter race and June Rikard with a time of 45 minutes and 30 seconds in the women’s 10,000-meter race.

Proceeds from this year’s events will be used to buy equipment for the town’s volunteer fire department.