FORT WAYNE, IN (Indiana's NewsCenter) --- Tens of thousands of spectators braved the elements Saturday, to watch the 41st edition of the Three Rivers Festival Parade.

Nasty weather nearly forced cancellation of the popular summertime event.

By 10:30 a.m., the drumbeat of the Snider High School Marching Band on Calhoun Street signaled the “TRF” Parade was alive and well.

An hour and a half earlier, it had been on life support, as a line of storms marched through downtown, threatening postponement or worse.

Bridget Kelly/Parade Chairperson: " At about 9:00 in the morning, I was starting to have serious doubts that this was going to happen."

The parade chairperson was minutes away from calling the whole thing off.

Kelly: " The lightning was really severe and it was pouring rain. Then it cleared up. Everybody stayed, the crowds all hung in."

Indeed, perseverance was the word of the day.

Susan Lester/Spectator: " We ended up underneath a business awning when it really started pouring down, but it was all right. We were glad it took off."

Matt McClellan/Parade Goer: " We were ready to go home, it kind of stunk for a minute. But other than that, it was all worth it. They put on a great show."

135 units were on the original entry list.

It's believed the 'no shows' totaled less than a dozen.

Jeff Neumeyer/Reporter: " This is the second year that the event had returned to historic Wayne Street, probably the most scenic part of the parade route."

Critics registered complaints for several years, eager to see floats, bands and other exhibits back on display along tree-lined West Wayne.

The owner of a Bed and Breakfast at the corner of Wayne and Van Buren is thrilled to see the parade tradition restored.

Kenson Dhanie/Lives on West Wayne: " It brings the neighborhood back to life. I think it's so important for the restoration of these homes. These are really, truly well-built, well-designed homes and the character is there, and I think it's great to highlight the neighborhood again, to see what we have to offer here."

So the 2009 Three Rivers Festival is off with a bang... or was that a clap of thunder.

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