AMESBURY — Residents were completely undeterred by the steady misting rain and muddy conditions that marked the kickoff of the town's most celebrated event of the summer. Hundreds of happy guests turned out to the Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Block Party last night, breaking out their strollers and their rain slickers to brave what everyone hopes is the last in a weeklong string of damp afternoons.

"It's a good turnout despite the liquid sunshine," joked Mayor Thatcher Kezer, who as master of ceremonies was on hand to kick off the 10-day Amesbury Days celebration in the downtown gazebo.

Although the mayor lamented that iffy weather might have kept a few guests at home, he was impressed with the few hundred-strong showing of townspeople who came down with their families to sample local foods, have a beer with old friends and treat their little ones to pony rides, ice cream sundaes and Mr. Nee's balloon creatures.

"Everybody looks forward to being here and kicking off the Amesbury Days events," Kezer said. "This is a time when the whole community comes together just to have fun."

For Judy Lacasse of Amesbury, this was her first year attending the downtown block party, though she's taken part in other Amesbury Days events over the years. Lacasse braved the rainy weather at the behest of her extended family and friends who attend the all-ages party every year, and she was amazed at how many people were in attendance.

"I didn't realize they had all this out here," said Lacasse, who along with her young children promised to make the event an annual tradition.

"We'll do it next year too, right?" she asked 5-year-old daughter Skyla, who nodded in agreement.

It wasn't hard to guess Skyla's favorite thing about last night's Block Party.

"The ice cream," she said sweetly, referring to Provident Bank's lavish ice-cream sundae station situated smack dab in the middle of Huntington Park. Theirs was the perfect follow-up tent to a host of restaurant stations representing Flatbread Co., Sal's Pizza, the Powow River Grille, Davis Jacks, the Barking Dog and others.

"It's a better turnout than I thought it would be," said Provident employee ice-cream volunteer Kate Petersen. "I'm really surprised."