Susan Fink left, leads a dance Saturday to drive the rain away at the start of the Hope Festival in the Bethel Commons. From left are, Fink, Ellie Dirnback, Danielle Laughland and Maddie Hayes. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Trey Williams gets a ride on his father, Ellis, as his sister, Aurora, and mother, Kayla, walk through the Bethel Common on Saturday afternoon during the Festival of Hope. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

One of a handful of floats during the Festival of Hope Parade makes its way up Main Street in Bethel Saturday afternoon, ending at the Bethel Commons where a celebration with games, music, food, and lots of hugs and laughs followed. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

One of a handful of floats Saturday during the Festival of Hope Parade makes its way up Main Street in Bethel. The parade route ended on the Bethel Commons where people celebrated with games, music, food, and lots of hugs and laughs. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Festival of Hope organizer Kate Carroll tosses beads to a few dozen people who came out after a soaking rain Saturday afternoon to watch the parade on Main Street in Bethel. The parade worked its way to the Bethel Commons where people celebrated with games, music, food, and lots of hugs and laughs. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

A downpour Saturday afternoon let up just as the Festival of Hope Parade made its way up Main Street in Bethel. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Jim Myrick and his grandsons, Sabre, middle, and Zayden, and their dog, Jackson, wait out the rain in the parking lot at the rally point for Saturday’s Festival of Hope Parade in Bethel. Myrick would drive his truck in the parade. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal