DARLINGTON - The canoe races were postponed. Other events were canceled, but that didn't put a damper on Canoefest last weekend in Darlington.
Canoefest committee president Marie Wamsley said people and nice weather were both key components on making sure the 2008 Canoefest was just as successful as those in year's past.
The highlight of the weekend, according to Wamsley, was most likely the fireworks show that happened in Collins Park for the first time because of high water. The new experience generated a great turnout to watch fireworks synchronized to the music.
Although the road run and the Lion's softball tournament were canceled for the weekend, other events went on.
The canoe races have simply been postponed to a later date, once the river is safer, Wamsley said.
Moundview Shows put up a few rides in place of the carnival that normally comes to Canoefest. The original carnival required too much electrical power to be moved anywhere else in Darlington, so a smaller carnival was brought in at the last minute so youngsters could still enjoy at least a few rides.
Although the Canoefest princess candidates couldn't be brought down the river for the big announcement, Morgan Baxter, daughter of Charles and Terri Baxter, won the princess title as the freshman candidate.
No final numbers are in, Wamsley said, but as far as she could tell, the event brought just as many people out as any other year.
"We had a similar number of parade entries and what seemed like just as many people lining the streets as usual," Wamsley said.
Mariah Mellenberger was the $1,000 raffle drawing winner.
Canoefest committee president Marie Wamsley said people and nice weather were both key components on making sure the 2008 Canoefest was just as successful as those in year's past.
The highlight of the weekend, according to Wamsley, was most likely the fireworks show that happened in Collins Park for the first time because of high water. The new experience generated a great turnout to watch fireworks synchronized to the music.
Although the road run and the Lion's softball tournament were canceled for the weekend, other events went on.
The canoe races have simply been postponed to a later date, once the river is safer, Wamsley said.
Moundview Shows put up a few rides in place of the carnival that normally comes to Canoefest. The original carnival required too much electrical power to be moved anywhere else in Darlington, so a smaller carnival was brought in at the last minute so youngsters could still enjoy at least a few rides.
Although the Canoefest princess candidates couldn't be brought down the river for the big announcement, Morgan Baxter, daughter of Charles and Terri Baxter, won the princess title as the freshman candidate.
No final numbers are in, Wamsley said, but as far as she could tell, the event brought just as many people out as any other year.
"We had a similar number of parade entries and what seemed like just as many people lining the streets as usual," Wamsley said.
Mariah Mellenberger was the $1,000 raffle drawing winner.