People came from a variety of places to enjoy the inaugural Pembroke Pig Pickin' Saturday, despite the rainy weather.

"There were good sponsors, good vendors, good guest and approximately $6,000 raised after expenses for the TOS Theatre project. A lot of rain came too, but no one's spirits were dampened. We want to make this an annual event and to have it grow each year," organizer Mindy Boyette said.

"The music was awesome. The vendors were all pleased. And even when it rained, we were able to move the bands to our community center and they finished playing. Our final act, Kristen Capolino, showed Pembroke what guitar playing is all about. She is 19-year-old young lady that plays a guitar almost as big as she was, but she has mastered that instrument to perfection," said Angela Reed, of sponsor Pembroke Telephone Company and Pembroke Councilwoman.

Pembroke resident Herbie Bidden said, "It's going real good. There's a lot more people out here today than we've been having for these things. I was a little doubtful with the rain this morning, but there's a pretty good crowd out here."

Marshall Reynolds from Port Wentworth and his daughter Jessica Reynolds said they came up for the barbeque and said "there's a good bit of people out here even with the weather the way it is. The weather didn't stop us from coming."

Lifelong Pembroke resident, Myra Burnsed said she and her family and friends were having a good time.

"I was surprised by the large crowd, especially since it's a dreary day, but it's been fun," she said.

Vendor of the inflatable items for children, Robert Hourany came from Casida, Ga., to set up for the event and said business was fairly steady for a little while but slowed some. He said he hoped it would pick up as the football games at Hendrix Park homecoming finished.

Ten-year-olds Chance Oliver and Brock Bragg said they came to the festival to play after winning their homecoming game against the Pooler Packers at Hendrix Park and that they were having a good time.

"It started out slow this morning because of the rain, but it's picked up a lot. Once the games at Hendrix Park finish up, and if the rain will hold off, I think it will do alright," said Jim Anderson, director of Bryan County EMS services.

Shaniqua Moore, 12, of Pembroke said, "It's fun." She arrived at 9:45 am to help with the Pig Olympics with such games as games such as basketball and tire toss before enjoying the rest of the festivities.

Bryce Oliver, 3, of Pembroke said he was having fun and wanted to ride the big slide.

Lemonade and food vendor Annette McBrayor came from Walterboro for the event and said, "Business has been pretty good and steady."

"It's going better than expected with the weather. It will be even better if the rain will hold off. We would like to see it stay away so we can see more people come out, but all in all it's doing pretty good," Tony Greeson of Pembroke City Council said.

He said, "There's a little bit of everything for everybody, from hotdogs and hamburgers, and great BBQ, to funnel cakes and drinks. Someone is out here selling honey and honey products, and we have rides and games for the kids."

"There's plenty of music, people can even come out here to adopt some pets to take home for the kids and dunk a firefighter to help out the fire department and ladies' auxiliary, and we even have the National Guard out here promoting service," Greeson said.