Throngs of people swarmed downtown streets for exhibits, carnival food, fine art and handmade crafts at the Madison Street Festival. (RECORD PHOTO/JFD PHOTOGRAPHY AND DESIGN)

MADISON – One steering committee member for Madison Street Festival summed up the 2015 event in determined words: ‘It’s going to take more than rain to stop us.’

Determined they were … MSF organizers, vendors, entertainers and especially the crowd — soccer moms and baseball dads, 20-something couples, teenagers and a person with a disability who toured in her motorized chair. The festival always goes on, despite unpredictable weather as seasons change.

In addition, more than 300 instrumental musicians and auxiliary units awoke early on Saturday morning after performing their Friday-night-lights show to march in 9 a.m. kick-off parade. After the parade, bands from James Clemens and Bob Jones high schools loaded buses to travel to Hartselle and Boaz for marching contests.

Also determined, Madison United Methodist Church members opened doors for free coffee and restroom facilities and its parlor for a Mothers’ Nursing Station.

Nearby at Artist Alley, Relic Arts displayed its ‘Urban Jack-O-Lantern’ with an upside-down propane tank and rustic hardware. Sculptor Becky McBrayer said rain couldn’t harm her immaculate pottery. Brooke Albrecht’s painting of an empty Mason jar showed dramatic potential in a simple concept.

Madison Fire Department employees helped boys and girls douse an ‘intentional’ fire and awarded firefighter helmets. Madison police officers had a strong presence throughout the day.

Arts-and-crafts vendors reported a steady stream of shoppers. Pat Modica with Modica Woodcraft brought his bird houses, painstakingly detailed to recreate an old country store with rusted ‘ICE’ freezer, a mountain cabin with flowers in window boxes and one-room schoolhouse.

At the Gazebo Stage, two young men jammed in infectious rhythm performing Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” and Earth, Wind and Fire’s “Shining Star.” Proud owners walked dogs, ranging from a dachshund pup to full-grown St. Bernards.

Lobster rolls, pork barbecue, funnel cakes and Greek cuisine were popular food choices.

Free of charge, shuttle buses ran non-stop from CrossPointe Church and Madison City Schools Stadium. As they exited, practically every passenger thanked the driver for the convenient, worry-free ride.

Thanks to numerous sponsors, the MSF committee can reinvest festival proceeds with grants to Madison-based, nonprofit groups. Sharon Holcombe served as president of the 2015 Madison Street Festival.