The Gloucester High School NJROTC unit helped to add a military air of the 2012 Gloucester Daffodil Festival Parade that honored 13 local World War II veterans as grand marshals. Photo by Kim Robins

In spite of showers on Saturday afternoon, last weekend’s 26th annual Daffodil Festival was a success, according to Denise Carter, special events supervisor for Gloucester’s department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism.

All of Saturday’s planned activities went off without a hitch, including the opening ceremonies, where Alyssa Crone was crowned the 2012 Daffodil Queen and the parade, as more than a dozen World War II veterans were honored as grand marshals.

Gloucester High School junior Alyssa Crone was crowned the 2012 Gloucester Daffodil Queen. Photo by Kim Robins

"The parade, even with its limitations, went off beautifully," Carter said. Entries had to be limited this year and some other changes had to be made as a result of the Fox Mill Bridge replacement project on business Route 17.

"Everyone went crazy decorating their units and it was a great way to start the day," she added.

The first part of Saturday stayed rain-free, long enough for the parade and opening ceremonies to take place. "Between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., I felt like everyone on the planet was here," Carter said.

The rain picked up in the early afternoon hours and the crowds thinned out a bit. The first heavy shower fell on festival-goers around 2 p.m. However, Carter said she and other staff had been monitoring the weather radar, which showed the shower would be ending soon and then the sun would come out. She said she alerted the vendors so they could temporarily move their items under cover.

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