By Renee Worthing 

Staff Writer 

  Kennebunk residents who kept their eye on the sky brought umbrellas to the annual May Day celebration as others ducked into doorways or sat in their car waiting for the rain to let up. 

  Kennebunk’s 10th annual celebration on May 3 included activities for all ages, from face painting to fresh produce, but the rain kept many visitors at bay. 

  The “Faces of the Kennebunks” art exhibit was displayed for the last time and live music provided by Kennebunk River Band, entertained the occasional passerby. 

  Lobster rolls were available for lunch at Christ Church, while festival staples such as popcorn, cotton candy and fried dough could be bought at various locations throughout downtown Kennebunk. 

  However, BBQ Bob’s Owner Bob Walsh, who has served up hot dogs, hamburgers and French fries for the past nine years, said the rain was putting a damper on the festivities. 

  “Last year was perfect and so was the year before,” Walsh said. “One year we had to cancel the whole thing, but this is Maine.” 

   Although the sidewalks were nearly void of people before the 2 p.m. parade, residents lined the streets just as it kicked off. 

   As a man on stilts teetered by, 4-year-old Kennebunk resident Leo Kavanagh’s mouth dropped open. Kavanagh was one of the many children who dashed off the curb into the street to collect hard candy thrown by parade participants. 

  Liis Nigol, of Kennebunk, brought her niece Lisa Forst visiting from New York to the celebration. 

  Forst’s 6-year-old daughter Allison Forst said she had fun despite the rain, adding she liked the “Mad Science stuff” best. 

  “I think it’s great people come out even in the rain,” Nigol said. 

 In previous years, storeowners in the downtown area organized the May Day festivities, however this year, the Kennebunk Downtown Committee took over those responsibilities.

   “All in all, I think a good time was had by those who came out,” May Day Subcommittee Chairman Charlie Galloway said.

   He said some of the activities such as the rock wall had to be canceled due to safety issues because of the rain. 

   “The parade was shorter than we would have liked,” Galloway said, adding the rain prevented some people from participating.

   He said the Shriners were unable to march in the parade and owners of antique cars also opted out at the very last minute. 

  He said the committee is pleased with the turnout and said the May Day celebration would “definitely” take place next year.

  He said volunteers helped throughout the celebration, including clean up after the parade. 

  “By 3:30, the street was cleaned up and you couldn’t tell there had been a parade,” he said.