Twenty was the lucky number.

After many years of being rained out – as recently as 2005 – the 20th anniversary of the city’s weekend street party reveled in throngs of people and sterling sunshine.

&#8220There were lots of folks,” said Vicksburg Deputy Chief Richard O’Bannon and the organizer of the 39th Annual Vicksburg-Warren County Riverfest Arts & Crafts Show. &#8220It was a perfect day. You couldn’t have asked for a better day.”

Temperatures throughout the day stayed in the 80s and dipped into the 50s at night as the gates went up and bands took to the three stages along Washington Street.

Throughout the day, purses, bows, wooden guns, decorated mailboxes and ironworks filled the area around City Hall, where 115 vendors had an early start selling their wares at the show. All daytime events were free, meaning an accurate headcount was impossible.

Vicksburger Janice McKercher, a vendor for about six years, hauled her mosaic tables and painted mailboxes at 6:30 a.m. to her new spot on Crawford Street, where booths were perched for the first time because of planned construction in the 1000 block of Washington Street.

&#8220This is a nice location because it’s easier for handicapped and elderly – it’s easier for them to walk,” she said. &#8220We like for everybody to get out and enjoy Riverfest.”

O’Bannon said the new location won accolades from customers, and vendors had begun planning for next year.

By 10 a.m., crowds of people poured over from the arts and crafts festival to take part in Riverfest festivities along Washington Street. Music, children’s activities and food drew people into the festival atmosphere.

&#8220Don’t you feel the electricity in the air?” Riverfest president Terisa Cochran asked. &#8220Look at this. I am so excited. People are calling and saying, ‘This is the most fun I’ve ever had.’”

For 7-month-old twins Kameron and Kamille Reed, getting a spoonful of an ice treat was the best part of Riverfest.

Eleven-year-old Michael Allred, the son of Kim and Mike Allred, tapped into his adventurous side and decided to give the mechanical bull a whirl. It was his second time.

&#8220I’ve (ridden the bull) before, but I got bored waiting in line for the bungee jump,” he said, just after the bull threw him to the inflated ground below him.

For 70-year-old Grace Lynn and her sister, 62-year-old Carolyn Dedmon, it’s the crafts that draw them each year. They have gone together to the festival for four years. The food comes a close second. The two took a break from shopping to share an onion blossom.

&#8220I just love it,” they both said.

The tally from ticket sales indicates that about 3,200 people attended the festival Friday, making it a two-thirds fewer than reported last year, but, this was the first year that numbered tickets were sold, bringing more accurate numbers than last year’s. Saturday tickets were still being counted. And, board members were happy with the outcome.

&#8220It’s been a great crowd. Everybody seems to really be enjoying it,” Riverfest vice president Ginny Tzotzolas said at the start of Saturday evening festivities. &#8220The streets were still packed when we did the security sweep.”

After law enforcement officers secured the area for nighttime events, music picked up again, offering everything from local variety to blues and R&B and rockers, such as Aaron Lewis of Staind.