CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) — The rainy weather on Saturday did not stop the inaugural Youth Performing Arts Festival in downtown Conway.

The daylong event brought out quite a crowd with more than 300 performers showcasing their talents on stage.

Festival committee member Tim McGhee said the city of Conway has always been supportive of the arts and that they were open to all of the entertainment.

“We’ve had ballet, we’ve had Jazz,” McGhee said. “We have musicians, and we even have a petting zoo for musicians, and we even have a chicken walking around. Chicken come here; we have a live chicken to entertain you.”

Additionally, 32 vendors came out to show their support for the arts. Coming from Murrells Inlet to set up a booth, Mike Curtis, a co-owner of Next Level Dance Experience, said the festival is an incredible way for all the Grand Strand’s youth to connect.

“To be able to get out and share their talents and everything that they love and everything that they are learning in the studios is a great event for any of the kids,” he said. “It allows them to speak to the kids from all around the community and share their love for dance overall. “

Organizers said they plan to make this an annual festival and hope to expand it to a two-day event next year.