The crowd gathered underneath the pavilion for about 45 minutes while the heavy thunderstorms rolled through Crenshaw County last Saturday afternoon, but that didn't dash the hopes of several of the children who had come for the Luverne Rotary Club's Annual Family Fun Day.

Nor did it dash the hopes of Rotary Club members.

By 1 p.m., the clouds began to disperse, and the sun began to peep out from behind the clouds, while air was pumped back into the giant slide and the Moonwalk, and Family Day took off after all.

The crowd was entertained by several performers, including the Crenshaw Community Education Cloggers, who danced to &#8220Do you love me?” Also, the Southern Chicks did a fancy number to &#8220Rocky Top.”

Around 1:30 p.m., 72 blue balloons went sailing through the air after the children, led by Ann Swanner of the Crenshaw County Extension Office, released them. Each balloon, Swanner said, represented a child in Crenshaw County who was reported as having been abused. This number came from the last 14 months of reports.

Swanner goes into all of the schools and teaches child abuse prevention.

All throughout the afternoon, adults and children alike enjoyed winning door prizes. Everyone was given a ticket for a free hot dog, Pepsi and chips.

The kids enjoyed the Moonwalk, the giant slide, pony rides, paintball games and, of course, the swings. The LifeSouth Blood Mobile was on hand taking donations, and free family portraits were also made.

Many children walked around with butterflies and flowers painted on their cheeks, while others painted and decorated their own frisbees to keep.

In addition to &#8220Bloodworth the Magician,” who entertained both the kids and the adults, everyone enjoyed the gospel music of Scott Fowler and the Soldiers for Christ. Everette Hayes played the keyboards, Deanna Parker sang, Kristen Messick played the mandolin, and Charles Hammonds was on the drums.

The crowd also enjoyed the stirring performance of The Crenshaw County Community Choir.

Lisa Rolling, who is on the Luverne Rotary Club Board of Directors, said that in spite of the rain and the storms, the sun finally came out and, &#8220we had a great family day.”

&#8220The crowd stayed around, even though we had to take shelter for awhile at the beginning,” she said. &#8220But after the sun started to shine, more people came out, too,”

Jud Flint, President of the Luverne Rotary Club, said that he appreciated and wanted to thank all of the businesses, organizations and agencies that contributed in any way to help make &#8220Family Fun Day” the success that it was.

Rolling echoed Flint's sentiments.

&#8220The Rotary Club also wants to thank all of the families of Crenshaw County who support Family Day each year,” she said. &#8220After all, the family is what makes it a success.”