Retailers in Pella saw hundreds of shoppers converge on the Tulip City for end-of-summer deals during the annual Ridiculous Day Saturday.

The Pella Area Community and Economic Alliance and stores throughout the community helped organize sales aimed to clear out inventory and welcome new shoppers to the city.

Owner of Bruxvoort’s Decorating Center Jacque Zondervan tells KNIA/KRLS News most stores were busy and many people lined up throughout the downtown area ahead of the deals beginning and stores opening.

“This year, it really seems fantastic, because I ran to get a cup of coffee at one of the coffee shops uptown, and there were already people running around looking at stores that had their things out on the sidewalk, which I think is awesome,” she says. “At 8 o’clock, when we opened up, people were at the door waiting to get in, so we’ve had a really good response and we’re happy with it.”

Zondervan encourages everyone to shop local to keep a wide variety of businesses in Pella.

“We have seen a lot of our own customers that we see on a regular basis when they’re looking for something new, they think of us, but we’ve also seen some new people in town that came to Pella that didn’t know about it,” she says. “Buying local is so important, because not only are you helping to keep people locally employed, but you’re keeping the downtown area with storefronts that are full.”

Ridiculous Day is held each year on the final weekend in July.