During last year's Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, Isabel Parks' multi-colored umbrella blocked torrential downpours.

This year the artist's umbrella was back, but usually unopened.

"The weather has been much better this year," Parks said, seated at the ceramic pottery and sculpture booth she and artist Warren Hullow occupied.

"I really enjoy being here," said Parks, a 1932 alumna. "It's fun to talk to the people."

Observing how the campus and the festival have changed is always a treat, she added. The festival used to stretch along College Avenue and up the Mall, said Hullow, a 1960 alumnus.

The biggest change from earlier festivals is probably the crowd's composition, Hullow said.

"Over the years, the people have been coming from farther distances specifically to see the show," he said.

Some festival goers traveled from as far as Canada and California, Parks said.

But some only crossed the state. Susan Peirce journeyed from Pittsburgh to attend her fifth Arts Festival.

"It's terrific," Peirce said. This year's art selection seemed greater and more diverse than previous years, she said.

"It's like a whole new festival," Peirce added.

Peirce also said she liked the food and the weather "except for the rain during the Phyrst Pfamily."

First-time visiters and artists also liked what they saw.

Philadelphia native Maryanne Cooley said she thought the festival would feature more crafts than art, but she enjoyed the selection. She said she plans to return next year and had only one regret about this year -- "I wish I had more money to spend."

To keep the crowds in check, town and University police were hard at work.

"Overtime," said Dawn Smyers, a student auxilary with University safety. "I've been working a lot."

Few significant problems have developed, Smyers said.

"People have been, generally speaking, good. And the weather has been cooperative," she added.

Aside from a few weather delays, everything went well, said administrative assistant Patty Nordstrom. Arts Festival volunteers were happy with this year's outcome, she said.

For artist Michael W. Donner, business was average -- about what could be expected for a first-time showing. But even if his business was not booming, the Ohio-based painter was impressed by the scenic Happy Valley.

"The setting is one of the better I've been in," Donner said.

Overall, he enjoyed the festival and said he "will definitely do it again."

One drawback for the artists is being confined to booths most of the time, said Barbara Decker, a weaver and designer.

"I really wish I could see more," Decker added.

Making her third appearance at the festival, Decker said she enjoys the show but is still not good at dealing with bad weather. She said she was lucky for missing last year's rainy festival.

Those who did attend last year's Arts Festival were relieved by the weather's cooperation this year.

"We spent a lot of money on rain gear last year," said 1979 alumni Mary Anne Mulligan and Ed Joseph.

While Mulligan and Joseph were attending their 15th Arts Festival, daughter Sarah Joseph was taking in her third.

When asked if she liked the Arts Festival she responded with a vigorous head nod.

But children greatly decrease festival mobility, Joseph said.

"It's harder to look in the booths with a stroller," he added.

Children or not, Mulligan and Joseph consider themselves loyal Arts Festival visitors.

"We just love it, we come every year," Mulligan said.

But not everyone was full of compliments.

"The ice cream line is too long," joked Joe Kuhaneck of Bradford.