The rain couldn’t wash all the maple leaves away.

For one of the few times in its 49-year history, a cold, constant rain Saturday soaked attendees, vendors and performers at the Maple Leaf Festival in Baldwin.

The festivities, however, marched on.

“It’s wet, it’s cold,” said Lynn Killingsworth, who recently moved to Baldwin. “We were looking forward to seeing it.”

Killingsworth stood under umbrella and coat on the sidelines of the festival’s grand parade Saturday, watching everyone from marching musicians to politicians get equally wet in sometimes pouring rain.

But aside from a smaller-than-predicted crowd – estimates Saturday ranged from 5,000 to 10,000 attendees, rather than the anticipated 30,000 – Killingsworth and the rest of the festival faithful got their fill of classic cars, marching bands, crafts and all the rest of the Maple Leaf tradition.

“Everybody’s kind of wet; we’re shutting down a little early today,” said Donna Curran, chairwoman of the festival committee. “But for the weather, we had a really great turnout.”

The festival, which takes place annually in Baldwin during the third full weekend in October, celebrates the brilliant oranges and yellows of the abundant maple trees – although Saturday, their cover was just as important as their color.

Along the new parade route from High Street to Sixth Street, dozens huddled under trees and building overhangs and watched students from school bands march in ponchos – in some cases, instruments and all.

Saturday was also to feature train rides, music and several events for kids.

Between the bands, classic cars adorned with everything from campaign signs to insurance advertisements chugged along, sometimes with office seekers in tow.

Aside from a few rain-shy folks, everyone who was supposed to march took to the streets, Curran said.

“They don’t all want to march, and I understand,” she said.

Killingsworth, like many, was impressed.

“I’m proud of the bands,” she said. “They went ahead and played, but it was rough.”

Saturday wasn’t as rough for the vendors at the festival, especially those who set up shop inside. Several locations near the parade route accommodated the dozens of food and crafts vendors and their patrons.

As for the rest, committee member Sandy Cardens said most stuck it out as long as they could.

“We’re all doing great, under the circumstances,” Cardens said. “Most of them hung in there.”

The festival will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today in the downtown area, likely under clearer skies.