The return of Albuquerque’s Railyards Holiday Market as an in-person event earlier this month drew hundreds of shoppers to the downtown area.

What’s undoubtedly a holiday tradition in New Mexico’s largest city was missed last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and vendors didn’t hide their excitement.

Railyards Market Manager Alaska Piper was among those happy vendors, according to Albuquerque’s KRQE.

“It’s been really exciting,” Piper told the station. “We love building community out here at the Railyards and we’re just really excited to be back with our community, back with our local vendors, and serving the community in a significant way.”

As explained on its website, the Rail Yards Market of Albuquerque is a non-profit organization “focused on building a resilient, sustainable, local economy where the surrounding historic communities thrive, all can participate, and everyone is enriched and inspired.”

KRQE reported that the holiday market has drawn over 30,000 people in previous years.

According to vendor Victoria Montoya, the event has provided shoppers a good alternative to the recent shipping headaches.

“This is the perfect place to come support local, and you don’t have to worry about it getting here on time for Christmas,” Montoya told the ABC affiliate.

The station reported that market organizers also hosted a toy drive for area kids who may not get Christmas gifts this year.