Walmart craze hits Woodland

Eager Woodland residents and visitors gathered at the storefront. The high school marching band played. City officials and business representatives were on hand.

All that was missing was the red carpet.

The Woodland Walmart opened Wednesday morning with great fanfare.

Prior to the 8 a.m. opening, the store held a grand-opening celebration. By 7:15 a.m., people were lined up outside the store. When the doors opened at 7:30 a.m., people filed in for the festivities.

After Walmart officials said a few words and awarded some grants to local groups, the store was open for business.

The parking lot was about ¾ full when the store opened its doors, and Woodland Mayor Chuck Blum said customers kept coming all day long.

“It was quite a celebration up until 8 o’clock this morning, then it got real serious,” Blum said. “It was all business after that.”

The Woodland High School marching band returned to play a few more songs during lunch and after school got out for the day.