Rain doesn't dampen spirits at Summer Sidewalk Sale

It sprinkled, it drizzled and then it poured.

The sun wasn’t shining but there were still many smiling faces at Huntsville’s annual Summer Sidewalk Sale today. Hundreds of people roamed the downtown core to check out some pretty amazing deals offered by local merchants. Of course, there were also the folks who simply came to have a great time with the family. Live music, food, games, a bouncy castle, dance performances and a handful of other neat things were going on over the course of the day. The Green Street Challenge was a hit as well, and the sod that covered a large portion of Main Street will be donated to Habitat for Humanity.

All in all, it was a great day but here’s hoping next year’s event at least brings sunshine!

: The drum circle is a hit among passersby.

: The beautiful green grass on Main Street definitely added a different look.

: William Tajer buys a bunch of organic, locally grown beets from Diana Bechtel of Birchhill Farms.

: Oh, the rain! There were a few points when crowds disappeared due to a torrential downpour.

: Michele Trottier and her husband Robert Lepage of Maple Bluff Farm share a sweet smile – almost as sweet as the maple products they were selling.

: ‘Grandma Betty’ who is not related to five-year-old Cooper Lawrie plays a game of tic-tac-toe.

: And there was room for lounging. Of course, there were Muskoka chairs for people to sit and relax

: The Fernglen Fiddleheads got toes tapping and fingers snapping with a variety of great tunes.

: Lily Conway and her brother Odin had a blast playing soccer together on the sod that was laid down on Main Street. (Proceeds from the sale of the sod are going to Habitat for Humanity).

: Donna Fraser of Katieface Creations is serious about pebble art. It’s unique and eye-catching and not one piece will be the same as another.

: These cute pooches said hello to each other in their own, special way. Yes, that’s a dog hug.

Earlier in the day, a group of volunteers from the Downtown Huntsville BIA and Rugged Earth Muskoka laid sod on Main Street for the Come Alive Outside Green Street Challenge, which promotes “the importance of outdoor, unstructured play by laying down sod and creating temporary parks on prominent streets in communities across North America.” The sod is donated to the community, and at the end of the day it is given to Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North in support of their local builds. (Photos/video: Dawn Huddlestone)