At exactly 4 p.m., the festival's closing time, a major thunderstorm overtook the warm autumn day and sent patrons and vendors scrambling.

Water ran over top of the shoes of the drenched vendors as they attempted to keep their tents from flying away in the strong winds while they tried to pack up their wares.

Before the deluge pounded Mars' downtown, the festival drew a record crowd to Grand Avenue, Pittsburgh Street and the Mars History and Landmark Society property.

Patrons carrying hot sausage and funnel cakes squeezed past one another in the food vendor section on Pittsburgh Street and a steady stream of shoppers perused the goods and services lining both sides of Grand Avenue.

The annual Applefest has been coordinated by the Rich-Mar Rotary for the past several years.

“It brings the community together to not only meet your neighbors, but strangers who become friends,” said Ray Johnson, a 44-year member who manned the Rotary booth on Saturday, Alison Sanders, a Hampton Township resident who grew up in Mars, brought her young children to Applefest.

“I grew up going, so it's fun to bring my kids back,” she said.

Her daughter Chloe, 7, enjoyed the Mars Stars Jump Rope Team's performance on the stage in the town square.

“Now I'm looking for a place that sells hot dogs,” Chloe said.

John Watson, president of the historical society, said Mother Nature helped out on Saturday.

“This weather is the best it's been in at least three years,” he said.

Watson also praised the efforts of the Rich-Mar Rotary in coordinating the Applefest.

“Since the Rotary took over, each year gets better and better,” he said.