PARKERSBURG — Although it was in the 80s on Sunday, many people who came out to the Harvest Moon Festival at City Park were thinking about fall and the upcoming holiday season.

With warm temperatures and the remnants of Tropical Storm Florence still to the south, many people still made it a point to come out to the park over the weekend for the 56th annual craft festival.

“It has been awesome,” said Vickie Marshall, Executive Director for the Wood County Recreation Commission which puts the festival on as its major fundraiser of the year.

“It has been fantastic,” she added. “We had an awesome turnout (Saturday).”

Officials had a count of 3,198 visitors for Saturday. Although they did not have numbers available for Sunday, Marshall felt they had a good turnout from the public.

The festival featured around 175 vendors selling such items as basketry, handmade jewelry, woodwork, pottery, home crafts, artwork and more. Many items were one-of-a-kind and could not be found anywhere else. Some had Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas themes.

The storms to the south did cause some vendors to have to cancel this year.

“It impacted us in that a few of the vendors were not able to come and participate,” Marshall said.

The rains did hold off for the weekend locally and did not impact the festival itself.

“It was been a little bit warmish for a fall festival, but it doesn’t seem to be hurting anyone,” Marshall said.

The festival remains very popular locally with many people looking forward to it each year.

“For this festival I have to have people sit on gates Saturday morning to keep patrons out until we can open,” Marshall said. “When we do open, many head right for their favorite exhibitor.

“They will go there first and then come back through.”

Many of the vendors were happy with the turnout throughout the weekend. Truda Mendenhall, of TG Paints, said they saw good crowds on Saturday.

“It was very busy,” she said.

Mendenhall, a resident of Marietta, does glass painting. She paints ornaments with a special paint with glass in it. They are fired in a kiln three to four times.

“The glass in the paint bonds with the ornament, making it permanent,” she said. “It won’t wash off, scratch or chip.”

Friends suggested showing at the Harvest Moon Festival as what she did was not featured at the festival. Her ornaments are good for families to be able to pass down over the years. It takes between 60 and 90 minutes for her to paint one ornament. Many of her designs have winter and Christmas themes and she displays them on a Christmas tree.

“Repeat customers can always find something new on the tree,” she said.

Many people who came out to the festival enjoyed the chance to see what kinds of wares were available.

Terri Moore, of Harrisville, came out to see what was available Sunday.

“It is the crafts,” she said. “I really enjoy going through all of it and seeing all the different things they have.”

Pam Gentry, of Baxter, Tenn., came to the festival to see what was available. Her husband is currently working in the area and they decided to come to the festival for something to do.

“We love to go to craft shows back in Tennessee,” she said. “We are not at home this year so we are enjoying what West Virginia has to offer.”

They have been enjoying their time in the area.

“We have met a lot of really nice people here and we have really enjoyed it,” Gentry said. “I came (Saturday) and I brought him back today.

“It was worth coming back for.”