Those who attended the 77th annual New Holland Farmer's Fair on Wednesday evening were pleased that it didn't rain on the Spectacle of Bands Parade.

"I thought I may have to use this," said Jennifer Olsen of Lancaster, referring to her folded umbrella. "It looked like it was going to rain all day. Thank goodness for small favors."

The early autumn sunset also was an asset to the parade, which featured lighted floats that illuminated prettily in the dark.

"Now that is beautiful," Mark Edgerton of Millersville said when a float resembling a steamboat and featuring only one little girl as the proud passenger made its way down the street. "That alone was worth showing up for."

All along Main Street, Roberts Avenue and Franklin Street, rides like Dragon Wagon had more than its share of passengers, despite the brisk autumn air Wednesday evening.

Blue and yellow balloons also decorated the streets, which were packed with visitors who kept the food vendors busy.

Of the 117 fairs recognized by the state, those in New Holland and Ephrata are the only two still held in the streets.

"It's nice feeling, seeing all of these go down in the neighborhoods," said Ted Walton of New Holland. "It's old fashioned — in a good way."

Wednesday evening the Farmer's Fair featured the U.S. Army Fife and Drum Corps from Washington, D.C., and other units that played their hearts out for the crowds.

The fair will continue until Saturday, featuring the annual baby parade, which will begin at 1 p.m., followed immediately by the pet parade.

"The fair just doesn't seem to get old, does it?" said Christopher Griffin from Maryland, who visits his cousin in New Holland every year on the same weekend as the fair. "You'd think with cell phones, DVD players and the Internet, people wouldn't have an excuse to go outside anymore. I'm glad that's not true."

E-mail: cdifonzo@lnpnews.com