Dark clouds and the threat of rain couldn’t put a damper on the ninth annual Garden Fest at Bakersfield College, which took place April 26.

The nine-hour event saw thousands in attendance from the community and across the San Joaquin Valley, visiting vendor booths run by clubs and organizations from BC, Bakersfield, Kern County and the rest of California.

White Forest Nursery, the BC Drumline, American Sign Language club and BC Alumni Association, Mary Kay, the Sequoia Community Corps, InShape, the California Water Service Company, and Bakersfield Koi and Water Garden Society were just a few of the vendors at the festival, and KERN 1180’s Country Garden radio show did a live broadcast with BC’s Lindsey Ono.

Local artisans sold a variety of handmade goods for home and garden decorations, including birdhouses, wind chimes, and gardening tools. Others sold jewelry, cosmetics, candles and soaps.

“I’m very happy with the turnout. I know last year it was hotter than a pistol and this year we’ve got this [stormy] weather, but there’s a great crowd and everybody is having a great time,” said Sally Sterns, Garden Fest organizer and Environmental Horticulture technician. “It’s a successful Garden Fest.”