NAPPANEE — When dawn broke Saturday morning in Nappanee, organizers of the town’s 41st annual Apple Festival had to wonder if Mother Nature was going to wash out the busiest day of the event.

In fact, the rain did put a bit of a damper on the morning’s parade, but not enough to stop several hundred people from lining the parade route down Market Street. Fire engines, police cars, the NorthWood High School Red Regiment marching band and dozens of floats, groups and other entries stepped off sharply at 10:30 a.m. for the journey through the southern Elkhart County town.

Parade Marshals Larry and Char Wagner highlighted the procession. Larry is a lifelong resident of Nappanee while Char has lived in the area since 1970. The couple married in 2005 and both have been very active in the community throughout their lives.

Enjoying one of her first official duties as Miss Apple Blossom Queen was Hannah Walter, daughter of Ken and Michaela Walter. who was awarded her title on Thursday evening.

The morning also included a soggy 5K run/walk prior to the parade, attracting dozens of brave runners who didn’t let the rain quell their competitive spirits.

Along with the midway rides, fair food offerings and carnival games, the festival provided a variety of entertainment, including a variety of live music, kids shows, a comedian/juggler/ventriloquist, corn hole tournament and an apple pie eating contest, to name a few. Visitors could of course purchase a piece of the festival’s signature 7-foot baked apple pie at the Napple Store tent.

This year’s featured show, which takes place each year in the library parking lot, was “Flippenout,” an acrobatic trampoline show featuring world-class athletes performing extreme stunts. The group has appeared throughout the country, including performances at numerous professional sporting events.

The rain did have one casualty, however, as the annual Wings & Wheels Car and Airplane Show was postponed until Sunday afternoon at the Nappanee Municipal Airport, located three miles east of downtown Nappanee on U.S. 6.

Festivities continue on Sunday beginning with a community church service at 9 a.m. inside the entertainment tent at Depot Plaza one block south of the center of town. The festival gets back into full swing beginning at 11 a.m., including carnival rides, various entertainment and Flippenout performances at 12:45 p.m., 2:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.

For more details on the Sunday schedule, visit www.nappaneeapplefestival.org.