The parade, a relatively new addition to the event, at one point stretched from Industrial Drive to Main Street.

And the J. Ashley Wall Towne Square was packed wall to wall with vendors hawking everything from health products to raffle-ticket fundraisers.

Vendors took up an entire block of Third Street, like they normally do, but also took up part of two blocks along Cypress Street, more space than the festival ever has needed.

The parking lot beside the Woman's Club Building was chock full and the town square lawn was packed with people.

By the time the Band of Oz closed out its three-hour show Saturday night, residents were pretty well partied out.

This year's festival drew new visitors, like Maureen Stewart, who, because her schedule had never allowed, was at the Harvest Festival for the first time, with her children and niece.

Stewart listened intently, along with the children, as Barry Dovaston explained the benefits of purchasing an edible birdhouse.

Though Stewart didn't buy a birdhouse, she said later the offer was unique.

"I was especially impressed with all that he knew about birds and their life cycle," Stewart said.

That kind of experience is what made the day a good way to spend time with her children, she said.

"I've been very impressed. The children have had a lot of fun looking at everything there is to see and do," Stewart said.

Dovaston, the edible-birdhouse dealer from Four Oaks, said he spends a lot of time on the street-fair circuit.

He said his sales weren't as robust in Wendell as they have been in other places, but he said people were interested in his product and seemed to enjoy stopping to listen to his pitch.

Others were visiting the Harvest Festival for the first time in many years.

Phyllis Cooley grew up in Wendell but now lives in Boston. She was back in town last weekend and stopped by to see the festival. She said she was amazed at how much the event has grown over the years.

Cooley's perception was on the mark. The car show, now in its second year, drew several contestants, and the parade drew more entries.

The weekend's temperate weather didn't hurt. Festival-goers could be comfortable strolling the street fair in short sleeves, and just a light jacket was all anyone needed to sit on the lawn at the town square for the evening entertainment.