A mild, windy day gave way to rain at the Smoky Hill River Festival on Saturday.

A thunderstorm early in the evening prompted organizers to cancel stage performances that were scheduled at 6:00 and 7:00. The 8:30 Mingo Fishtrap concert was ultimately washed out as well. The group is currently negotiating to come back in the near future for a free concert.

All events Sunday will be on schedule. Brad Anderson from Salina Arts and Humanities tells KSAL News that the only change is that the grassy area where supporters park will be closed. Because of the wet conditions the lot will not be accessible.

Before Saturday’s rain this year’s event was blessed with beautiful weather.

Taia Conlon is at the Smoky Hill River Festival this year from Salt Lake City. She and her husband Fred make figures out of scrap steel. They are no strangers to Salina. One of their pieces, a skeleton pirate, was displayed downtown last year as part of the sculpture walk event. She tell KSAL News that they are on the road from March through September at festivals and events. She says that the Smoky Hill River Festival is their favorite.

Carna Peterson is part of the Lindsborg Swedish Folk Dancers organization. The group has a food booth at the festival, and one of the more interesting offerings “Viking on a Stick”. She says it is a k-bob made of Swedish meatballs and rye bread on a skewer that is dipped in Swedish pancake batter and deep fat fried to a golden brown. She says it is their best selling item.

The official opening event was the Festival Jam Thursday night. Up until Saturday evening’s rain, things at the stage were going smoothly. And even the rain preparations went smoothly. Workers covered the stage and equipment in preparation of the coming storm. After the rain subsided they were prepared to set up for the 8:30 main event, and for all of Sunday’s performances.