With the forecast of thunderstorms threatening the Federal Hill Jazz and Blues, Wine and Art Festival Sunday, Jane Seebold kept a close eye on the weather radar displayed on her computer.
"It looks like we'll have one hour of bad weather," said Seebold, the executive director of Federal Hill Main Street Inc., the neighborhood organization that sponsored the music and arts event. "After that, it looks pretty clear."
In fact, a quick shower came late Sunday afternoon, but many attendees were prepared with umbrellas. Federal Hill Main Street also bought plastic tarps for vendors and the two stages for live music were covered.
"The festival is always rain or shine, so people know there's a risk," Seebold said.
The neighborhood's 10th annual event attracted families, young adults and music lovers who were drawn to what Seebold called the festival's "strongest" lineup ever, featuring New Orleans' Eric Lindell and local act the Kelly Bell Band. The festival also included more than four dozen craft and food vendors as well as a children's play section.
Lori MacNair, 24, of Federal Hill and her friends came to check out the live music after watching "Treme," the New Orleans-themed HBO drama in which music plays an important role.
"We've been hanging out, drinking margaritas and having fun," MacNair said as she sipped on a drink. "We wanted to see if the music was similar to the music on the show."
For the first time this year, the festival added a wine-tasting tent and a section featuring local artists. Jordan Faye Block, owner of the Jordan Faye Contemporary art gallery in Federal Hill whose tent showcased 17 artists, said the event was a good way for residents to learn more about their work and for artists to gain more exposure.
Seebold, of Federal Hill Main Street, said the group "wanted to spice up the festival this year." Wine and art are nice complements to the music, she said.
Allison Murphy, 23, said the festival was something "fun to do a Sunday" with her friend, Paige Wilhide, who were both attending the event for the first time.
"There's always something going on" in Federal Hill, Murphy said.
Bukola Akinsanya, 27, of Mount Vernon, said she and her friend, Shamara Short, 32, of West Baltimore, came to the festival despite the possibility of rain because of the "music, jazz and the booze."
Short said the event's size was manageable enough to enjoy everything it had to offer.