By 1 p.m., Cary Street was friggin' packed with people craving some watermelon, funky vendors and eclectic and sometimes impromptu musical stylings.

I'm just thankful I live nearby, otherwise I would have been parking in the Bottom and walking as parking was scarce all day. There must have been thousands of people there and I think the cooler weather was a deciding factor. Unlike previous sweltering years, Sunday's weather was perfect. There was a cool breeze that steadily picked up as the day went on, and for a few hours it was overcast, giving the day a warm, but not hot, feel to it.

They say the Carytown Watermelon Festival is now one of the city's "signature events" when it originally started as a way to bring business to that part of town.

It was definitely THE place to be on Sunday. I saw a variety of friends from all over town and really enjoyed the succulent melon bowls offered up for a $1. Hard to beat that deal.

The booths that punctuated the middle of the street were an interesting mix. I personally loved the lady who made beer purses using beer labels. And, so as not to be wasteful, made the bottle caps into earrings. She even made big sombrero-esque hats out of them! Quite a talent, I say.

Then there was the music that seemed to provide a little something for everyone. From single trumpeters and guitar players to mini-bands with great soulful voices, the music was as diverse as the crowd itself. One young woman even posted a handmade sign to encourage donations for her music. It read, "Parents killed by pigeons. Need money to buy BB gun."

So what was your experience? Did buy a beer purse? Slurp up too much melon? Or were you "too cool" to attend? And check out our photo gallery of the event.

-- Dionne Waugh, news writer