Although it was a day full of gowns, cakes and wedding decor, Saturday’s East Texas Wedding Extravaganza Bridal Expo at W.T. Brookshire Conference Center also was bittersweet.
“The East Texas Wedding Extravaganza has been operating as a staple in the East Texas economy for 14 years, and today was Joyce Crawford’s last show and my first show,” said Kristi McDonald, new owner of the Bridal Expo. “So, it’s kind of the changing of the guard.”
Crawford, who is the founder of East Texas Wedding Extravaganza, said she could not have been more proud to pass the torch to McDonald, who she met just about a year ago.
“I knew we were going to be good friends. She has such a wonderful spirit, and I know she’s going to do great things with the East Texas Wedding Extravaganza,” Crawford said.
McDonald says she doesn’t have any immediate plans for changes.
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“We’re going to stay true to her vision,” she said. “If we do, we have a couple of little things we’re going to change, but it’s only going to make it easier for the vendors — different layout and set up requirements and things that we’re going to make it easier for the vendors and we’re going to expand to different cities.”
Organizers weren’t the only ones preparing for new beginnings Saturday, as future brides and grooms descended upon the conference center to scope out vendors for their big day. The event had 90 vendors from photography services to tables and chairs to florists.
Saturday was the first time the event was held at the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center, and organizers and attendees agreed the location was a success.
“I just love the new building,” said Shelly Greenwell, owner of Brooke & Bre. “I love the openness here, and I love the fresh feel that it has and the way it flows. It flows very nicely for brides. It’s just a great opportunity for them to meet a lot of different vendors.”
“The vendors that I talked to today have been really excited, and a lot of it has to do with the new building, the new layout, the ease and the flow,” McDonald said. “We’ve had a really good crowd here today.”
East Texas hospitals welcomed their first babies of 2024 on Monday.
The first baby at UT Health Tyler was born at 11:20 a.m. Monday. Elias Nicholas Kefalides is the son of Jillian and Nick Kefalides of Lindale.
He weighed 6 pounds, 8 ounces and measured 20 inches long. Elias joins big sister Elleana, 3, and big brother Evan, 14.
Jillian said she believed Elias would arrive early but didn’t believe he would arrive much earlier than his Jan. 18 due date or her Jan. 11 scheduled Cesarean section.
However, as the family celebrated a low-key New Year’s Eve at home, Jillian started noticing contractions about 8 p.m. By 3 a.m., Jillian knew Elias wouldn’t wait, so they drove to the hospital.
“I definitely didn’t think he would be a New Year’s baby,” she said. “Honestly, we’re just grateful that he’s a healthy baby.”
Christus Good Shepherd in Longview also welcomed its first baby of 2024 on Monday, Elicia Castaneda.
Elicia was born to one of the hospital’s nurses at 12:49 a.m. on Jan. 1.