"It's like raining, but on a hot day," gushed the 11-year-old from Murrieta, Calif. "It's like taking a shower outside."

Unlike the Wild West Parade in Toppenish -- where a downpour swept through town like an uninvited guest -- there was little precipitation to be had at the "One World, One Valley, One Nation" celebration at State Fair Park in Yakima on Friday.

The only place to get wet was by standing underneath the giant spray nozzle by the Yakima Fire Department's firetruck. This is where Veronica and her friend, Gabriela Deloza, played, squealing as they stomped in the puddles and wiped water out of their eyes.

"It's fun getting soaking wet," exclaimed 10-year-old Gabriela of Yakima. "It's a really hot day."

"It's wonderful," Veronica added, referring to all the celebration had to offer. "There is a lot of fun stuff to do. There are a lot of rides, and you can eat after."

Unlike years past, where oppressive heat forced attendees to take refuge in the shade, no one complained about the weather on this Independence Day. Instead, temperatures in the mid-80s proved just right.

People milled around food vendors, hunting down the scents of caramel corn and cheesy nachos. They stretched out on picnic blankets, listening to their favorite rock 'n' roll tunes. And they walked hand-in-hand, whiling away the hours until the fireworks show began.

By 8 p.m., more than 15,000 people had arrived at the free event, sponsored by the Yakima Herald-Republic.

Jaelinn Adams of Granger was one of them. Despite being only 7 years old, she knew exactly what she wanted to do when she stepped foot on the fairgrounds Friday afternoon. She wanted to go on the rides.

Getting permission from her mother, she bolted to a giant slide and yelled for her cousin to join her.

"I like the slide because it's fun and it goes fast," Jaelinn explained, authoritatively. "It's fun."

As for Kelly Mattson, face painting was more his style. Like his three young children, the Selah man sat at a table while an event volunteer smeared red paint on his cheek. Soon, the blotch was transformed into a rocket.

"It makes me feel young," Mattson said. "It's something to do with my children on the Fourth of July.... If it's face painting, so be it."

Coming to the celebration has become a yearly adventure for the Mattson clan, who enjoy everything from the rides and games to the smorgasbord of food, Mattson said.

For him, what matters most is that it's a festive, family event with activities everyone can enjoy.

"It's just great," he said. "I like to sample everything."

* Erin Snelgrove can be reached at 577-7684 or esnelgrove@yakimaherald.com.