FERRIDAY &8212; The cars filled the parking lots at the Ferriday Wal-Mart, and the lines stretched long.

Christmas is only eight days away, but this sales rush had more than procrastinating shoppers going for it &8212; a 4 percent discount on almost everything.

A sales tax holiday passed by the Louisiana Legislature during the November special session was in effect Friday and will be again today and Sunday. During the holiday, the usual 4 percent state sales tax will not be charged on most items. Purchases that require titles, like cars or houses, are not exempt from tax, and the exemption covers only the first $2,500 of a purchase.

The sales tax holiday came just in time for the holidays, at least in Wanda Owens&8217; belief. The Ferriday resident bought gifts for some of her young relatives, including a large play kitchen for her niece.

&8220;I&8217;m saving money,&8221; Owens said. &8220;That&8217;s four percent I don&8217;t have to pay. I might be back tomorrow if there&8217;s something else I need.&8221;

Workers at the Ferriday Wal-Mart said things had been busy Friday, even for the holidays.

Ferriday resident Don Riley said he hadn&8217;t known about the sales tax holiday until he made his purchase, after which he decided to go back for more hunting gear.

&8220;I figure with the holiday prices and the sales tax I might as well go ahead and get it,&8221; Riley said. &8220;It&8217;s not going to get cheaper.&8221;

But other stores in Louisiana weren&8217;t so busy.

Dollar General in Vidalia had modest crowds during the day, workers said.