FOLEY, Ala. — A midday shower failed to dampen this past Saturday’s Alabama Festival of Flavor in Historic Downtown Foley.

According to South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Donna Watts, the morning drew such a crowd that the food-tasting section ran out of samples around lunchtime.

“I’m very pleased,” she said. “It’s kind of been steady all day.”

Response from vendors and attendees was split, with some feeling the onset of rain kept crowds away.

“I’m kind of disappointed with the turnout,” said Paula Terrell of Paula’s Special in Brewton. “But we don’t have any control over the weather.”

But others were happy with the turnout and impressed with the festival layout, which spanned down Alston Street and Jessamine Avenue.

“It has tremendous potential,” Foley Mayor John Koniar said.

State Farm Insurance Agent Frances Holk-Jones was happy to see those who came to her booth, even in the rain.

“People dressed for it, and here they are,” she said.

Michael Manning of Organo Gold said his coffee and tea booth had plenty of visitors.

“It’s actually been really well with the weather,” he said. “I hadn’t expected the turnout.”

The Foley man was among several to compliment the festival’s new street format, especially with the rain.

“I like this set up because with the weather, we’re not walking in puddles,” Manning said.

Koniar echoed that sentiment.

“It’s a great layout,” the mayor said.

Instead of collecting puddles, that layout ensured that walkways were safe as visitors made their way to such attractions as a petting zoo, live musical entertainment edutainment classes on such topics as cooking and wine tasting, and a covered wine-and-beer tasting event, which likely benefitted from the inclement weather.