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FARNHAMVILLE - Parade-goers in Farnhamville came up with a new way of handing out and receiving candy Saturday morning.

With a steady rain falling, streets filled with puddles, not allowing for the traditional candy toss. Instead, those riding in cars and on floats through the parade handed out their candy as children who braved the rain walked up to take as much candy as their hands could grab.

Sophia Tenuta, her sister, Olivia, and their friend, Madyson Jaeschke, all of Moorland seemed to enjoy being some of the only kids lining the street as they gathered more candy than their bags could hold. As most attending the parade sat in their cars to shield themselves from the rain, the three were watching the parade while keeping dry under a tent in Jaeschke's grandfather's yard.

Barb Gregg, president of the Farnhamville Community Betterment Club said it was the first time the celebration had been rained on since 1993. The rain forced children's games and a kiddie pedal tractor pull in the city park to be canceled, but all other activities went on as scheduled as accommodations were made. The Old Settlers picnic was also moved from the park's shelter house to the community center at the Farmers Cooperative, where nearly 400 meals of pork sandwiches, chips, coleslaw, sweet corn and lemonade were served.

"We've still had a wonderful turnout," Gregg said. "We just had to spread the word that things had been moved indoors."

"People have always put a lot of work into this celebration," said Sheila Hall, who was working the registration booth at the car show. "So a little rain is no reason to stop."

The celebration has been a tradition in the small Calhoun County community since its centennial celebration in 1981, Hall said. Prior to that there hadn't been a celebration for several years after the community's original celebration, known as Old Soldiers Day, was discontinued.

"That celebration was always held on Aug. 17. It didn't matter what day of the week it was, all of the businesses in town would close for the day and there would be a celebration and picnic," Hall said. "We try to keep it as close to Aug. 17 as we can every year."

Old Settlers Day was also an opportunity for several Cedar Valley and Prairie Valley High School classes to hold their reunions.

"A lot of people come home for this," Gregg said.

Hall said she has also seen many former Farnhamville residents return to their hometown for its annual celebration.

"People always come back for this," she said. "I usually see at least a few people my kids went to school with."

Other activities that went on throughout the day included an ice cream social, softball and volleyball tournaments, bingo and a street dance.

Contact Emilie Nelson at (515)573-2141 or enelson@messengernews.net