WEST BOYLSTON - Area seafood markets were busier than ever in preparation for a holiday tradition.

A line of customers stretched around the corner at West Boylston Seafood's fish market on Christmas Eve. Hundreds picked up orders for the Italian-American tradition, Feast of the Fishes. 

On Christmas Eve, families have a seven-course seafood meal.

West Boylston Seafood owner John Wyka said, "We start preparing in September, lining up the product we need to get, planning staffing. Sometimes, when I'm on vacation in the summertime, I start thinking about Christmas and I'm not the only one here that does that.'"

The market had more than 30 staff members working their biggest day of the year as they worked to prepare 700 pre-orders before Christmas Eve. 

They expected about 1,000 customers to walk through their doors on Tuesday.