Even though the weekend rains forced some musical headliners to move up the street to The Moon, the first-ever Word of South Festival still attracted thousands of people to Cascades Park and beyond.
While raindrops fell outside, the kids inside the park's Meridian Building were being entertained by the stories of Ramona King.
Down the hall, the room was packed with admirers of author Ann Patchett. The whole Word of South Festival idea came from former Tallahassee City Commissioner and author Mark Mustian.
"It's been great! Everyone's been rolling with it. It's Tallahassee; it rains," Mustian said as he dashed to yet another event. "But we have great people and great artists. It's been fun!"
Leon County Commission Chair Mary Ann Lindley thought the showers may actually have been a good thing.
"Everyone has been brought very close together because of the weather," she said. "We all feel like we're the best, most loyal readers and musicians on the planet. The passion here is almost x-rated. It's so great. We love it!"
Organizers are already looking forward to next year's Word of South Festival.
