The heavens held for the 62nd Rhododendron Festival parade on Saturday before a post-lunch storm sent the crowds running for cover.
Locals and visitors lined the parade route, cheering pre- and primary schoolers, roller skaters, police horses, steampunkers, soccer players, firies and their friends. And all to the accompaniment of the Lithgow Pipe Band, the NSW Police Band, Waratah Drum Corps and Blue Mountains City Band.
Entertainment continued at Blackheath Gardens, with a host of stalls plying everything from handbags to showbags, soaps and scents, fairy floss and flowers.
The short but intense rainstorm boosted audiences at the (indoor) art show but did cause some of the sellers to shut up shop early.
The festival continues this weekend with the Rhodo Revue, the local composers concert on the following Friday, the ball on November 15 and a weekend of jazz on November 21-23.
