Mike Friesen can't remember a time when so much rain fell during the Manitoba Sunflower Festival. Friesen, who serves as planning committee Chair, says however the people rallied together to make the 52nd annual event a fantastic one.

"People are die-hards. We would see people fleeing different venues, but they would go to their cars and just sit tight for a bit, the rain would pass and everybody would come back."

Friesen adds the activities and shows for the most part went ahead as planned, however some did need to change venues or be cancelled. He notes the committee did the best it could to work around the changes.

"I want to give a huge shout-out to my Festival committee members, they were troopers. We had to re-shuffle a few things to make things happen but they did it and we pulled off an amazing festival."

The biggest draw for families each year is the giant commercial parade and again proved to be a hit. It went ahead as scheduled despite pouring rain and some thunder in the distance.

"Everybody again was troopers," adds Friesen and notes people continued to line the streets. "It was a little different this year but it went off without a hitch."

Friesen adds the Multi-Cultural Village was bigger and better than last year, featuring demonstrations by some of the latest newcomers to Altona from Syria.

He notes the food trucks continued to be a big hit this year with local vendor Smokin' Haut taking home the Food Truck Wars title for the second year in a row.

Again, Friesen commends the volunteers that helped out this past weekend. "They kept the smiles on the faces, and just made it a positive event for family and friends and for our community at large."