SALAMANCA — Despite dismal weather for the city’s annual fall festival attempting to return another year, the weekend-long event had three days of a shining sun with only small doses of scattered rain and cold.

For one of the rare times in many years, few leaves were falling for the 39th annual Salamanca-Seneca Falling Leaves Festival. It felt more like three calm days in early September than the usual late November-like rain and temperatures in the mid 40s.

Perhaps the new direction of a volunteer-run committee of community organizers was a positive omen for this nearly four-decade-long festival attempting to return to its roots.

“It was a big success,” said Kathy Sarver, a committee co-chair. “I think all the vendors did very well.”

The festival kicked off Friday night with the Empire State Fights wrestling which gathered a big crowd, showing promise for the days to follow.

Although there had been fewer crafts vendors than in other years, Sarver said many of them did well. As for the food vendors, some of them even ran out of food.

“And we couldn’t have asked for better weather,” she added. “The numbers were huge, especially after the parade. To come into the park and see the lines at all of the vendors, it was like ‘Wow!’ The number of people every single day was just great.”

Thanks in part to the nice weather and big turnout, the hot dog and pie eating contests, Minute to Win It and the bed races all had more contestants participating than in most recent festivals.

“I’ve heard many compliments on the parade and that it was the best they had in awhile,” Sarver said. “Sunday at noon when it started pouring, I thought, ‘Oh no,’ but we lucked out and the sun came out and it was a great day.”

Sarver said many people said they liked that the bands who played in the parade played a concert under the tent in the park afterwards.

“It rained some, but there was more dry time and it cleared right up for the parade. In fact, it was hot,” said Donna Raahauge, a committee co-chair and the parade organizer. “I’ve got a lot of nice compliments on the parade.”

Raahauge said she thought the entire festival went well. For the parade, she said some people said they’d like to see more bands. Raahauge said she’d like to see more community participation.

“It was surprising. The only bump along the way was the broken tent pole, but that tent was a lifesaver. It really worked well,” Raahauge said. “Most of the people I’ve talked to said it was a great idea and they loved having it there.”

Raahauge said she was thankful for everyone who came to participate in the parade, especially those from the school.

“The cheerleaders came out, and the Sabres were awesome,” she said. “There was Mrs. Hodera who did the Minute to Win It, and there were some teachers who are parents who walked with their kids in the parade.”

Outside the parade, kids were in lines throughout the weekend at the carnival rides at Sycamore Park and the activities from the youth bureau on Jefferson Street.

“Everything worked out well. I think the committee as a whole did a great job putting it together, especially (Ross and Sherry Ledsome),” Sarver said. “And of course we couldn’t have done it without all the donations we got from everybody.”

The Salamanca-Seneca Falling Leaves Festival committee will hold their recap meeting later this month with plans for 2017’s festival beginning soon after.

“Next year I hope we can do even better,” Sarver added. “But I’d call it a huge success.”

(This story appears in the Oct. 6, 2016 edition of The Salamanca Press.)