For about four hours Saturday, over 3,000 people -- from as far away as England -- packed into downtown Nazareth for the .
Presented by the , the event celebrated the one-and-only with live music, delicious food, over 20 artisan vendors and much more.
And then...
Mother Nature offered a deluge of moisture. Martin On Main attendees ran for cover, huddling under tents and awnings.
While thunder boomed in the direction of Easton -- heading soon for Nazareth -- a musician broke out his guitar and performed under the dry safety of porch.
Unfortunately, , the event ended early due to the uncertainty of Mother Nature's mood Saturday night.
But the first half of the 5th annual Martin On Main was a resounding success.
Musicians from the Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum performed acoustic guitar music at the main stage on Center Square. Clay Hess, a Grammy-award winning bluegrass artist, was this year's headliner.
Hess has toured for three years with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, and is widely considered one of the hottest flat-pickers on the bluegrass circuit. In 2005 and 2009, created two limited-run Clay Hess Signature models.
Shaun Hopper, an acoustic "fingerstyle" guitar player, performed for folks who refused to be deterred by the storm.
The dryer portion also included:
- Over 20 artisans displayed their talents and sold their work.
- Local restaurants brought a tasting of their cuisines.
- Bethlehem Brew Works joined for a fifth year, crafting a unique brew to celebrate the festival.
- Franklin Hill Vineyards featured local wine.
- Martin Guitar had a special display that featured the history of the company.
- Martin Guitar products were available for purchase.
Martin On Main was also about giving back. Martin Guitar raffled off an HD28 Siris Wood Test guitar valued at $3,000. All of the raffle's proceeds benefited non-profit organizations.
Here's to a 100 percent dry 2013!
The music was great on our street also & great vendors!