SKOWHEGAN -- Torrential downpours did little to dampen the spirits of artists and kids decorating the downtown streets Wednesday for Tent Days, using health and environmental themes.

According to Amber Lambke, local artist and chairwoman of the Main Street Skowhegan promotion committee, this is the first year of an event intended to become an annual festival.

"We learned about a festival that Biddeford did," she said, "and in researching it, we learned that Pasadena had a similar festival. We wanted to attract visual attention for Tent Days."rMain Street Skowhegan and Wesserunset Art Council sponsored the event. The arts council supplied the chalk.

"We're crazy," said committee member Charlotte Hillas, referring to drawing in the rain.

Although the association expected two-dozen artists and kids to do chalk art, only 10 ventured out in the rain. Rather than postponing, the artists got to work. r"It's the can-do spirit of Skowhegan. The rain is a gritty reality in our funky up-river town," said Hillas.

Michelle Broadley just moved to Skowhegan from Cape Cod. Her daughters, Victoria and Alexis, said they counted down the hours until the event. "They both like to draw at home constantly," Broadley said. "We hoped they'd meet some kids."

As resident Cindy Simmons walked by, she stopped to watch the young and old artists at work. r"I think it's darling," she said. "I'd like to see this all over -- you betcha! It's fun for the kids. It lets their imagination run wild and it's art, too.

Alexandria Goodwin, of Norridgewock, is an artist from Skowhegan High School.

"Chalk is great for all ages," she said. "It brings out the child in all of us. My dad even told me to jump in the puddles with chalk and have fun. It would be better if the weather was better."

Jeri Snow donated ice cream to the chalk artists. "I thought it was a great idea -- anything for the town," she said.r"This is big fun," said 12-year-old Alice Wang, a student from mainland China, learning English this summer. Wang outlined and designed her drawing. "In China we do this on paper. We get in very big trouble if we draw on sidewalk."r"We like to see this grow to attract more artists," said Lambke.

Owner of the Blueberry Cupboard, Becky Richardson, a committee member and on the Main Street board, returned to her store to see a giant blueberry on the outside wall. "It's gorgeous. I'm thrilled," she said. "It's a nice addition to Tent Days."

Skowhegan's Tent Days runs in conjunction with the summer-footwear sale at New Balance, which began Thursday and ends Aug.16. However, Main Street's Tent days only runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays during that period.