Festival: Many enjoyed the cooler temperatures.

The non-traditional weather for the annual Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival didn’t cool the enjoyment for many people.

Normally, temperatures are hot and skies sunny. This year, grey skies, cooler temperatures and a few rainy periods, particularly on Friday and Saturday, dominated.

An unscientific survey of festivalgoers found that most people asked didn’t mind the weather and, for those who have been coming for a few years, many found the absence of blistering heat a welcome change.

Phillip Williams, for instance, has been volunteering for three years.

“It’s nice, it’s cool. It’s better than it being too hot. Nobody’s getting heat stroke or dehydrated. It’s just right.”

Darcy Nitsche of Revelstoke smiled when questioned about the weather.

“That’s very Canadian of you to ask.”

He termed the temperatures refreshing and said as long as it wasn’t pouring – like it did on Friday when he was volunteering – he was enjoying it.

Laurel Edwards of Grand Forks was among the minority asked who would have preferred high temperatures.

“It could be worse,” she said philosophically, “but it could be better. I heard how hot it was last year, but that’s not the way it’s going to be.”

Patti Brock, too, likes the heat.

“Every year I’ve been here for the past five years, it’s been blistering hot. It seems to set the atmosphere. And people are fighting with the mud (in front of the main stage),” she pointed out.

Jennifer Rabie of Summerland said she was happy with the unusual weather.

“I actually prefer it over the heat we’ve had the last few years. I realized I’m not drinking nearly as much water.”

A look at food vendors during the cooler parts of the festival showed that sales at some booths – like the one selling shaved ice – were being negatively affected by the weather – while others, such as the coffee booth, were booming.

Ron Stanton wasn’t bothered by the cool, sometimes moist weather.

“It hasn’t put a damper on things, and it makes for good dust control. They’re palatable temperatures for all – and the mud puddles were fun,” he smiled.

A volunteer at the front entrance, Stanton said the varying temperatures provided a bit of a challenge for volunteers checking bags because festivalgoers were bringing in large bundles of belongings in order to be prepared for any eventuality.

Despite having to pack a little heavier than normal, festivalgoers generally seem to have enjoyed the seventeenth annual festival, rain or shine.