Heavy rains didn’t dampen the spirits of 70 Montevallo High School students who hosted the Future Farmers of America’s fifth-annual Farm Day this past weekend.

On Friday, Farm Day was cut short when weather sirens echoed throughout the Montevallo area. Students visiting from Montevallo Elementary School rushed inside the high school building to take shelter.

Sophomore and FFA Sentinel Sydney Wright, 15, stood under a white tent as the first rain fell. Though worried that rain could spoil Saturday’s community event, Wright remained optimistic.

“The rain is depressing,” she said. “We need at least one rain-free day. We need some sun.”

Wright got her day without rain. More than 1,200 people attended Farm Day on Saturday, said FFA Advisor Keith Adair.

“It was wonderful. Everything went smooth,” Adair said. “Everybody seemed to enjoy it and had a lot of fun.”

Farm Day kicked off Saturday with an antique tractor parade downtown. The parade ended at Montevallo High School, where guests got the chance to pet farm animals and watch a kid-friendly play produced and performed by FFA members.

“We did three shows on Saturday and each one was packed with over 200 people,” Adair said.

Wright said the play taught children the value of farming in today’s technology-driven society.

“I think these kids leave the show surprised about where their food and clothes come from,” Wright said. “A lot of kids come to Farm Day not knowing where our food comes from. They think it comes from McDonald’s.”

Children also participated in a pedal tractor pull and a T-shirt contest. Bryant Nolen, a fifth grader at Montevallo Elementary School, was the T-shirt contest winner. Nolen received a trophy and $50 cash prize, Adair said.

House of Q took first place honors in the Farm Day barbecue cook-off, and won a $1,300 cash prize.

The day concluded with the FFA alumni silent auction, which raised $1,100 for scholarships for high school students. Adair attributed the success of this year’s Farm Day to teamwork and forgiving weather.

“We would like to thank our sponsors and FFA alumni for their support,” Adair said. “It was a great day.”