Thanksgiving shopping rush underway in Santa Barbara County

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - As the last weekend before Thanksgiving Day, shoppers are hitting the grocery stores across Santa Barbara County.

The thanksgiving shopping rush is on here in Santa Maria.

“Thanksgiving shopping is going great in fact I just got some celery,” said shopper Esther Brown at Trader Joe's.

"I picked up my turkey my wine and soft drinks so that’s kind of phase 1 of thanksgiving prep," said shopper Ken Vierra at Trader Joe's.

Dennis Peterson brought his family and kids to the grocery store.

They’re on a hunt for an entire thanksgiving meal. 

"Strawberries raspberries and blackberries come and check out selection of hams frozen turkeys I’m also going to check some gravy and whatever else that we see," said shopper Peterson at Aldi Grocery Store.

Some customers said they decided to go grocery shopping early Sunday morning in order to be the big crowds.

But if you waited until the afternoon, parking lots started to fill up.

"Yeah it is busy yeah yeah," said shopper Leonard Jalpert at Trader Joe's.

As shoppers continue hunting for their favorite thanksgiving ingredients, they’re excited to celebrate.

"I’m excited because we do it every year and we want everybody to have a good time," said Jalpert.

Store managers encourage shoppers to get their groceries sooner than later while supplies last.