STILLWATER, Okla. — Even as the rain and temperature fell, a steady stream of art enthusiasts came out Saturday to the 33rd annual Stillwater Arts Festival to help support artists and partake in the food and fun.

“We have people who come out year after year no matter what,” said festival organizer Jessica Novak.

Eighteen-month-old Naomi Bell sure didn’t mind the rain. Her parents bought her a metal turtle sculpture.

“She doesn’t care about the rain,” said her mother, Amanda Bell. “She likes coming so we were going to come rain or shine.”

Rain didn’t dampen the moods of the artists either, especially those who received the festival awards.

“It’s an honor to be rewarded for what I love to do,” said wood artist Uli Kirchler.

Kirchler won best of show and $500 for his wood sculptures, which he creates using wood that he hand selects, carves and often inlays with different materials.

I’ve ground up turquoise, egg shells and brass, Kirchler said. Then, I put them in the holes in the wood.

The awards were given out after judges looked at each of the 84 artists’ collections to determine the winners in each category. Categories included best in show, 3-D art, 2-D art, the Helen Koons-Gragert Appreciation Award and the Festival Committee Choice Award. Award money totalled $1,475.

Other festival features included live music, a kids area and food.

“Kettle corn sales are good,” said Jim Rundle, owner of J.R.’s Concessions. “But BBQ not so much since nobody wants to sit on the wet tables.”

On the other hand, the wet weather had minimal impact on art sales.

“I’ve heard that sales are good and that artists are pleased with the crowd numbers,” Novak said.

“It hasn’t affected sales at all,” Kirchler said. “If that’s what happens in the rain, then rain is good.”

Jewelry artist and 2nd-place 3-D art award winner Larry Tallent agrees.

“There are hardcore people who appreciate the arts and come out,” he said.

Although attendance has yet to be recorded, organizers still expect around 10,000 people to attend the two-day event which ends today. The festival will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Stillwater.

Since we don’t sell tickets, we don’t have any way to count heads, Novak said. But even with the rain, I don’t expect it to be too big an attendance drop.