By Darragh Doiron

The News staff writer

A well-worn, giant drum case attracted the curious to Terrie Harris’ booth filled with so many suitcases, it seemed to give a new meaning to the phrase “packing them in.”

Another Port Arthur News “gigantic” garage sale packed bargain hunters into the Robert A. “Bob” Bowers Civic Center on Saturday. Harris said she’d acquired large, round cases at a school auction in Beaumont. She sold one, but wouldn’t mind hauling the second home to Lumberton if it didn’t sell.

“I was thinking about painting a Christmas scene on it and putting it by my front door,” she said.

At one point, crowds were lined up to the street, Ed Kestler, of The News’ advertising department, said. The News had sponsored the sales for years with the goal of attracting multiple merchants to a central site. This session featured 56 vendors.

Susie Hernandez of Port Arthur, appreciated the central locale.

“I drive a gas hog,” she said.

Her one-stop shopping got her books for one grandchild, and an easel for another who likes to play school.

Greg Slott of Groves sat behind a display of delicate red liqueur glasses and called out to passersby that he had a set of water buffalo horns inside the booth.

“I always have something different that attracts the people,” Slott, a frequent merchant, said.

Harley Howard, 8, of Port Arthur, perused a doll bin while other shoppers browsed through such varied wares as a sequined dress, a Prince of Wales saucer, Christmas baskets and a porcelain figurine of boots with mice emerging from their openings.

ddoiron@panews.com