Smiles were everywhere on Saturday. It was hot, but Bushwhacker Days was in full swing. People were everywhere. There was no sign of rain.  There was a slight chance -- 20 percent, to be exact, of rain on Saturday, but it never happened. Sunshine ruled the day, but even if it hadn't, chances are the show, from street fair to parade to concert, would have gone on, even if we'd had to sidestep a few puddles. 

I've been editor of the Nevada Daily Mail for four years now, and Bushwhacker Days is one of my favorite things about Nevada. Even when it rains. 

Take last year, for example. Saturday afternoon, at about 3 or 4 o'clock, it just started POURING down rain. At first the rain was light, and a few hard-core carnival-goers stayed on the rides as long as the carnies would allow. But then the deluge sent folks scurrying for cover. A few brave souls had lined up for the parade, but it soon became clear that the rain was too intense and the parade was nearly canceled. Entries were excused, but the parade went on. 

There were a few onlookers, determined to finish out the Bushwhacker tradition, lining the streets. OK, crowded into alcoves around the Square, while parade emcees proudly announced each entry as it didn't pass by. Some of the alcove sitters pointed and waved at the virtual floats as they passed by. Just today, some of those folks were telling me how much fun they'd had at that parade.  The virtual parade was interrupted briefly by an actual horseback rider, which drew cheers and more pointing and exclamations. I and my then 2-year-old son marched around the Square, photographing the scene, but the plastic-bag-clad camera, poking through our layers of plastic rain gear for people, wasn't really up to the task. The bag fogged over, leaving us with mostly virtual pictures of the virtual parade. This year it didn't rain on our parade -- but one thing's certain. No matter what, you can't take the spirit of the parade out of  Vernon Countians.