Hundreds of people turned out in Rock Hill on Saturday afternoon to take in the 91st annual Sullivan County Volunteer Firefighters Association (SCVFA) Parade.

Dozens of local fire departments, ambulance companies, scout troops and marching bands from throughout Sullivan County and beyond participated in five divisons

District 1 Legislator Scott Samuelson sang a stirring rendition of the National Anthem as parade goers faced a giant American flag suspended over Rock Hill Drive from two ladder trucks.

For the beginning of the parade at least, attendees were cautiously optimistic that they'd dodged the rain that had been forcasted to last all day. It didn't take long, however, until a light mist turned into a full out downpour.

But it takes more than a little rain to faze Sullivan County's bravest. The parade marched forward through sheets of rain and to the sound of cheers and applause from spectators shielded under umbrellas.

Spirits undiminished, attendees packed into Dutch's Tavern to dry off or walked down Glen Wild Road to visit the Rock Hill Fire Department and see the American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT) Vietnam Memorial Wall.

“Even though the weather didn't cooperate with us, the parade was still a great success,” said Rock Hill Fire Department Chief Brian Soller. “I am extremely proud of our volunteers and thankful for all of the time that they dedicated to all of this week's events. We started on Tuesday with the escort of the Vietnam wall and concluded on Sunday with our Golf Tournament.”