Although Mother Nature was indecisive, the spirit of Summerfest wasn't completely dampened.
Despite a dreary start and late deluge, the sun made an appearance just long enough for the Downtown Business Improvement Association's (DBIA) annual celebration to kick into high gear with music, magic, shopping, community and, most importantly, food.
As in years past the Taste Pavilion, taking up the block of Third Avenue between Brunswick and Quebec Streets, was the Summerfest hotspot.
From barbecue ribs to veggie mee goreng, there was something to tickle everyone's taste buds.
Ron and Linda Williams started their Summerfest visit with a trip to the food tents. According to Ron, there is a better selection of culinary treats now compared to Summerfest's previous incarnation on George Street.
While the pair already frequent many of the restaurants showcased Sunday, Linda said it's also a chance to try out new places to add to the list.
Nancy O's co-owner and DBIA director Eoin Foley dragged himself away from his restaurant's booth to check out the sights and sounds around 2 p.m.
He said the amount of traffic through the Taste Pavilion seemed to be on par with the previous year.
"Last year was a beautiful, hot day," he said. "This year's a success, as far as I can see."
Shutting down sections of downtown streets for the public to gather every summer Sunday is something Foley said he wouldn't mind seeing, but knows it would be a huge task.
"To put on an event of this magnitude is daunting enough for the people that organize it," he said.
Daisy Hayman came to Summerfest with her grandchildren to sample the food and see what new offerings are in the area.
"It's been years [since I've been downtown]. I used to go to Northern Hardware but now there's all the bistros and booths," she said. "I thought it would be fun to try the food and maybe it would lure me down here."
Summerfest's ability to highlight the businesses downtown that people may not be aware of is a real bonus, said Coun. Lyn Hall, who also appreciated the added flair brought by the participation of members of the Prince George Cougars.
"I think it's a fantastic event. I come down every year... and it gets better and better."
