Dozens of hours of preparation and work to prepare for the Buffalo Stampede parade and celebration were threatened when the skies opened up and the rain poured down all day the Friday beforehand. As badly as the town needed it, the rain put many of the Stampede participants on edge, worrying that the event would be rained out. For the Belles, it was not the fear of getting wet; it was concern for the ability of their uniforms to stand up to the wet. even a few light drops on their uniform hats would have meant they were ruined.

     “The rain had me wanting to pull my hair out,” Belle director Amanda Harter said. “Knowing that the girls were marching in their white boots in this weather made me sick to my stomach.”

     The rain stopped late Friday night, and while the skies were still grey and puddles were everywhere, the festivities continued in usual fashion, with one exception – the usual high temps that everyone has to endure at the Stampede had been replaced by much cooler weather, making it much more enjoyable to do the usual visiting.

     “It’s fun to just walk around Harriman Park and see everyone talking and having a good time,” junior Marissa Jones said. “We hardly ever get together as a community and do this.”