There wasn't a whole lot of sunshine for Vernon's Sunshine Festival Saturday, but that didn't stop people from crowding 30th Avenue for some live music, good eats and family activities.
Umbrellas lined the six blocks of main street that were closed to traffic to make way for the 30th annual festival, though the rain held to a slight drizzle most of the day, and the sun made a few appearances through the clouds.
Event organizer Peter Kaz said despite the weather, the festival was very well attended.
"We were really, really impressed with the amount of people that came down, and more impressed with their attitude," Kaz said after the event. "Everybody was in good spirits and just enjoyed everything that was available to them."
And there was plenty available to folks who made their way to 30th June 15, with vendors setting up tents in front of their businesses for people to browse through, a main stage with a new band playing live every hour, three massive inflatable games for kids to enjoy, a food zone covered by a large tent and family activities spread throughout the street.
"There were times where you could see an ocean of people," Kaz added, saying the day was a huge success, with vendors reporting a lot of business being done. He said the rain also encouraged people to step foot into the shops along the street rather than just perusing the tents outside.
Lauren Molzahn, with The Room Collection, was set up in front of the store at 30th Avenue and 34th Street.
"We're really impressed with the turnout, we thought the rain would deter people away, but it's been really great," she said. "We're running out of things to sell."
Kaz said the smiles seen at the festival were "a good reflection of our town."
Sunshine Festival was just the start of a lineup of activities planned this summer by the Downtown Vernon Association. The Downtown Performance Festival takes place July 20, and Downtown Sounds is back at the Civic Plaza Thursday nights during July and August, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Downtown Sounds will kick off July 4 with the Legendary Lake Monsters performing.
