NEW BERLIN – Despite the constant rain showers plaguing this weekend’s event, hundreds still lined the streets of downtown New Berlin for the 48th annual Saturday Youth Days Parade and carnival in what was one of the wettest celebrations in memory.

“Saturday the community definitely stayed behind us in the rain at the parade. This is some of the worst weather I can remember in the history of the event. It was pretty much a complete wash out,” said New Berlin Youth Days Committee President Larissa Hanslmaier.

Faced with rain showers and a low turnout on Friday’s opening night, organizers decided to move Friday’s free midway carnival rides to include Saturday’s scheduled events from 3 to 5 p.m. in a bid to battle the weather.

Scattered rain showers continued to hamper Saturday’s events and volunteers moved several activities into the sanctuary of the nearby New Berlin Fire Station.

To make matters worse, a torrential downpour engulfed the downtown area in the half hour before the parade was scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., drenching the crowd of several hundred that had gathered for the march.

Parade planners announced they had decided to postpone it until nearly 6:30 p.m., telling spectators that they believed the surge in rain would “pass in 10 minutes or so.”

Hundreds retreated underneath umbrellas, trees and building alcoves to patiently wait for the parade while others simple gave up and went home. Even a few of the floats scheduled to participate in the event could be seen leaving.

One mother, Lori Devine of New Berlin, sought cover along with her children in an store vestibule along Main Street. Having just come from the midway, her 6-year-old daughter Ayssa, played in the rain.

“It was like this a few years ago. It’s just too bad because the parade’s really their favorite part,” she said, motioning to her son and daughter.

“I hope everyone can just hang in there and bear the bad weather out. It’s a nice parade,” she added.