A mid-day drizzle failed keep families away from the Children's Art Festival, an event sponsored by the Laurinburg Downtown Revitalization Committee over the weekend.

While some were huddled under awnings to keep from getting wet and others were donning umbrellas, most in attendance seemed enthusiastic about the event.

"I think its wonderful. I just wish it wasn't raining," said Candy Houg.

Her 6-year old son, Alec, was a few feet away, coloring with crayons at the Hospice of Scotland County booth.

"Its an opportunity for the community to come out in our own hometown with our children," she said.

Pam Hudson was out with her grandkids, making jewelry outside of Art by Design.

"I think it is awesome," Hudson said. "Its a great idea; the kids are enjoying themselves."

She said it also has been a learning experience for them.

"My grandchildren didn't know where downtown was. Now they do," Hudson said.

Hudson's granddaughter, 6-year old Alexis Sabin, said she was enjoying the event.

"I like going to the festival," she said. Alexis was excited because she was going to go on the giant slide on Roper Street.

Another child, Alexis Locklear, 7, declined to comment on the festival. When she was asked if she was having a good time, Locklear smiled big and ran off to the next table.

The 7-year old had been hard at work at Trinity Child Care's "Udderly Amazing" art project. The group had made a cow out of a piece of wood and attached an "udder" – a latex glove filled with white paint with holes in the fingers. Participants sprayed the paint out onto a piece of paper to make their own art design.

Kirsten Dean, of Art-by-Design, was thought the festival went well.

"It's a great event," she said. "Barbara Alexander has really worked hard."

She thought hat people were having a good time, while bringing them to the downtown area.

"We had a good day on Saturday," said Barbara Alexander, administrative assistant for the LDRC. "I was really surprised [with the turnout] because it rained three times"

She said that, up until the final rain, everyone stayed put.

"I'd say we probably had at least 100 kids, based on some of the nonprofits," Alexander said. She estimated between 200 and 300 people, counting parents.

"We do plan on doing it again next year," she said.

"The nonprofits had great day."

"I heard back from a lot of the stores all ready," she said. "They thought it was a success... They had more people in the store this Saturday than any other Saturday. From that standpoint, I'd say its a successful event"

"I think a lot of people definitely came downtown that normally wouldn't have," she added.

The biggest hindrance was when the bounce houses in the A.B. Gibson parking lot left because of the rain, which kept people from noticing the vendors there.