CARLSBAD —— The Christmas shopping season officially starts about 7 a.m. Sunday morning for Lake Forest businesswoman Laura Richardson.

That's when people will start lining up at her "My Country Collection" booth at the annual Carlsbad Village Street Fair, scheduled for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in the downtown Village.

By 8 a.m., when shopping can officially begin, the line in front of her stall will contain 75 to 100 people seeking her Christmas garlands, ornaments, signs and jewelry.

And, the crowds don't decrease much later in the day.

"We can only let in about 25 people into the booth at a time because (her staff members) are constantly restocking," Richardson said, adding that they had to start the staggered admission system years ago because the crowds got so bad they couldn't get any restocking done. "One time we had to shut the whole place down … We said, 'No one's coming in. We're restocking.' It's a crazy, crazy day."

In recent years, Richardson has had a coveted corner stall at the one-day festival because her line of shoppers was blocking access to other booths, she said.

She isn't the only one pulling in people. The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the event, estimates that upward of 100,000 people come to the event. It's billed as one of the largest of its kind in the nation.

This year, some 900 booths will sell just about anything imaginable, said Misti Cain, the chamber's communications director. For example, there are live trees, tile mosaics, reproductions of photographs woven into blankets, Hawaiian-print bathing suits, bubble wands, Chinese silk tops, speciality spice jars, birthday cakes for dogs, and hand-made jewelry of all styles.

"It's definitely a good time for gift shopping," Cain said. "If people are trying to get a (head start) on their holiday shopping, this is the place to go."

Needless to say, parking is always a challenge. In an effort to ease the problem, the chamber offers two shuttle locations —— one at the Poinsettia Coaster Station in South Carlsbad and one near the Sears store in the Westfield Plaza Camino Real mall.

In addition to the many food and drink options offered by private venders, the Rotary Club of Carlsbad will operate a beer and wine garden area. Last time, they made $4,000, said Ann Collins, marketing event coordinator for the club.

The money goes for Rotary Club projects, including donations to the local Boys & Girls Club. This year the club is adding a big-screen TV so people can watch the Chargers football game Sunday.

"We figure with football, it would entice them in," Collins said.

Maybe some folks just will stop by to rest their feet —— the festival covers many city blocks along State Street and Grand Avenue. Shopping ends at 4 p.m.

Contact staff writer Barbara Henry at (760) 901-4072 or bhenry@nctimes.com.