They headed home, soggy, burnt, aching, and tired. And they all seemed to have smiles on their faces.

There was an exodus Sunday and Monday morning as artists, alumni, and students alike made their way back home from the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, which finished up for the 44^th time on Sunday afternoon. As always, the five days of Arts Fest included fun for all ages, from the artist’s pavilions to the Allen water buckets, to the late-night debauchery of what has become a de facto midsummers reunion for PSU students and alumni.

Although, this summer’s Arts Fest may well be remembered for its uncooperative weather, Executive Director Rick Bryant still thinks that it was a success.

“It really was hot and then when it rained heavily… we were disappointed to have to cancel shows, but were relieved when the weather became nicer as the weekend went on”

The weather had its effect, but bands like the Earthtones were still able to rock out to a crowd on the HUB lawn without interruption. And it did not stop the crowds from overwhelming State College on Saturday and Sunday. “It came together well,” said Mr. Bryant of this year’s Fest, “I feel like [the difficult weather] may have shifted the time when people were planning to visit, but it ended up being a great crowd.”

The great crowd found themselves at another fantastic Arts Fest, and one that was not without its new additions. BookFest PA kicked off its inaugural year with guest author Christopher McDougall, and offered an indoor escape for the damp and the sun-burnt.Mr. Bryant felt that BookFest helped to make this Arts Fest even more special. “[BookFest] definitely enhanced the experience…the authors and the visitors thought that it was quite a success.”

With both rain and shine, this year’s Arts Fest was one to remember, for the artists, the weather, and the tired masses that have safely returned to their varying abodes. I am already looking forward to next year.