CHANDLER - Despite misting rain and cool temperatures, thousands turned out Saturday for the city's annual Pow Wow at Winchester Park, and vendors have started making plans to attend again next year.

"I have never seen so many people," Chandler- Brownsboro Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bertha Pritchard said. "We had 58 vendors, and already they are wanting the same (booths) for next year. Pow Wow was a sucess."

City officials estimated about 5,000 attended the event.

"We made a small profit," Pritchard said. "I don't have a number on it. The money goes to community businesses and scholarships, and we also donate to community organizations."

The chamber awards four or five scholarships worth $500 apiece to Brownsboro High School students each year. Winners are chosen by school faculty based on grades, college acceptance, and other criteria.

"We wait until the end of the year to do that," Pritchard said.

The Chandler Lions Club parade kicked off festivities Saturday, and Tom Martin said about 120 entries participated.

"There were approximately 60 float-type entries, with approximately the same for individual entries. I feel the crowd at Winchester Park was one of the largest. We were very pleased the weather held for us, and the parade was able to be completed without downpours."

More than three inches of rain were recorded in Chandler for a week prior to Pow Wow, prompting the city and the chamber to move the Culpepper and Merriweather Circus from one of the park's four ballfields to a parking lot on the south side of Winchester.

Pritchard said Culpepper and Merriweather reported 230 people attended the day's two shows.

"Comments we heard were all very positive, and the children had great fun with all the things to play on," Martin said.

"The BISD drummers were excellent, and other performances were enjoyable.

"Many people enjoyed the circus's two performances. We are already planning for next year's parade, which will probably celebrate 50 years of continuous service to our area from the Chandler Lions."

For information on the 2010 Pow Wow, call the chamber at 903-849-5930.