NORWICH – Despite Mother Nature’s attempt to confound festival goers with Saturday’s midday downpour, patrons and vendors alike left the 18th annual Colorscape Chenango happy. The dark clouds looming above Norwich Saturday morning weren’t enough to keep Colorscapers at bay at first. Once the rain hit at approximately 1:20 p.m., most ran for the hills, though several Colorscapers determinedly wrapped themselves in their raincoats and listened to Roosevelt Dime on the East Park stage. After the storm, about half of the artist booths opened back up for the remainder of the day and the music resumed, said festival director Peggy Finnegan.

Sunday, on the other hand, was magnificent all around. “I think a lot of people stayed home Saturday and planned to come out Sunday,” said Finnegan. It was a “great day,” said Colorscape board chairman John Knapp. “Sunday absolutely made up for Saturday,” he said. Everyone that Finnegan talked to was smiling, she said, which in her estimation is always a good sign.

The coordinators were not alone in their optimism. Artists were out in force producing an array of diverse works that impressed even the most critical of patrons. “This year is better set up than any other – the artists are impressive, the music is great, and the weather is good,” said one such critic on Sunday.

Local resident Christopher J. Dushko said he is drawn to Colorscape every year because “it is really nice seeing all of the great artists exhibiting their talents.”