It was not a conventional day for the 56th-annual Mountain Laurel Festival in Clarkesville on Saturday, but that didn't keep people from turning out for the day's events.
Normally, the festival takes place under blue skies with warm temperatures. This year, however, heavy rain fell until and into the parade, which also served as a bicentennial parade as part of Habersham County's 200-year celebration.
Still, people lined a very wet Washington Street for the parade, then stayed around to visit the booths, listen to the entertainers and support local merchants and eateries.
Heavy rain runs into a storm drain on Washington Street as the Mountain Laurel Festival Parade makes its way up the street.
Umbrellas and ponchos were the rule of the day for this year's Mountain Laurel Festival Parade.
Heavy rain falls along Washington Street in Clarkesville just before Saturday's Mountain Laurel Festival Parade.
The Joseph Habersham Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard presents the colors during Saturday's parade.
Clarkesville Mayor Barrie Aycock prepares to throw candy during Saturday's parade.
Members of the Clarkesville City Council wave during Saturday's parade.
Habersham County Sheriff's Office school resource officers escort the Habersham Central High School Jr. ROTC Color Guard and Band of Blue.
The Habersham Central High School Jr. ROTC Color Guard and HCHS Band of Blue make their way along the parade route.
The Rev. Terry Rice, a well-known area Baptist minister, serves as grand marshal of the Mountain Laurel Festival Parade, organized by the Clarkesville Lions Club.
Children hope to collect candy during Saturday's parade.
Wee Little Miss Mountain Laurel winners Lillie Caraline Eller and Emma Ferguson ride along the parade route.
SWATT Airsoft from Mt. Airy promotes its new indoor facility, located on Dicks Hill Parkway near the Cornelia city limits.
AireServ Heating & Air Conditioning's float includes a cake celebrating Habersham County's 200th birthday.
In addition to its members passing out pieces of cake in honor of Habersham County's bicentennial, Clarkesville Baptist Church's float is made to look like a giant cake.
RJ's Wrecker Service of Clarkesville helps celebrate Habersham County's 200th birthday with a giant cake at Saturday's parade.
Nelson Payne, right, walks along the parade route near a surrey occupied by Bill and Suzanne Dover and others representing Ebenezer United Methodist Church, which also is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year.
Despite rain, vendors at the annual Mountain Laurel Festival in Clarkesville draw a crowd.
People attending the Mountain Laurel Festival check out the herbs, tomatoes and other plants.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2018/5/672896/despite-rain-crowd-turns-out-for-mountain-laurel-festival