Organizers of Sewickley's annual Harvest Festival were counting on sunshine, but there was no stopping the cold front that swept through the region Saturday and triggered storms just before dawn.

Borough Manager Kevin Flannery said lightning from the storm lit up the borough's downtown hours before the festival was to begin.

Fortunately, the rain subsided shortly after 10 a.m. and didn't completely dampen the day as a number of festivalgoers ventured out to enjoy the 22nd annual event sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Sewickley and the Quaker Valley Rotary.

"It's not bad at all," Flannery said. "It's a nice crowd. People are coming out because it's a quality event." 

Crowds shopped at local businesses and vendor booths, enjoyed live music and festival food, as well as games and prizes.

Walt Sickles, a Kiwanis Club member, said as far as he could remember, the rain was a first for the annual festival.  

"You could always count on good weather for this event," Sickles said.  

Graeme Purcell, vice president of the Kiwanis Club, said the morning wasn't as busy as in past years, but he expected the crowd would pick up as the day progressed.

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