ELGIN – A crowd estimated at over 5,000 persons, flocked into this small Kershaw County town Saturday afternoon for the first annual Cat Fish Stomp and Christmas Parade.

A 58-unit parade began the morning activities. The sponsoring town of Elgin presented the following trophies; Winnsboro High School, best performing band; Blaney PTO, best amateur float; and Elgin Lion’s Club, best commercial float.

Other brands in the parade include Post Lugoff-Elgin High School and Camden High School.

The spectators consumed about 160 gallons of Cat Fish stew, all of which was sold in two hours.

Afternoon entertainment was furnished by the Ambassadors of Rock Hill, and Gospel Echoes Quartet of Camden, the Camden High Steppers Square Dance Group and the Aiken Interstate Cloggers, plus country and western singing.

Cat fish Stomp Chairman Pete James said the event “Exceeded expectations for a first time event. It goes to show what a small town of some 600 people can do when everyone gets concerned and offers their cooperation on an undertaking such as this.”

Out of town guests included persons from Columbia, Sumter, Rock Hill, North Augusta, Clinton, Aiken, Patrick and as far away as Marshville, Mass.