The on and off rain in downtown Nashville did not stop festivities planned for Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4.
Event organizers said somewhere between 125,000 and 150,000 people were in attendance. The annual Fourth of July celebration was expected to draw out 250,000 people.
The crowd may not have hit that total but thousands still came out to see one of the best fireworks show in the country.
Early in the downpours forced thousands of visitors already in downtown for the Family Fun Zone to hide for cover. Dozens already camped out at both main stages when gates opened at noon.
The rain and threat of severe weather then delayed some of the evening performances and activities. The fireworks were pushed back to 10:05 p.m. and performances were reshuffled.
Nevertheless, Mayor Megan Barry started on time by honoring veterans with her opening remarks.
For the first time this year, even goers got to utilize at least 10 free water stations throughout downtown. Since the rule of no coolers or backpacks was enacted, city officials allowed people to bring water bottles to fill up at the station throughout the day.
"It's so nice to have it available," Vicki Mullins, a North Carolina visitor said. "It's still hot no matter how you slice it."
Many of the activities in the Family Fun Zone include water slides to help cool down the kids.
Overall, the new location along the riverfront and the new security rules went off without a hitch.
