DECATUR - The heat was taking its toll on the feet but little else Saturday at the Decatur Celebration.

"People are wearing sandals and flip flops and not protecting their feet against this hot asphalt," said Beth Frigy, a volunteer with the Mid-Illinois Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Frigy treated a couple of blisters, she said.

With the exception of one man who came to them after the Razzle Dazzle Goodtimes Parade feeling faint, Priscilla Burnett said it was minor injuries such as cuts, not the heat, that brought people to their air-conditioned trailer.

Threats of extreme temperatures predicted earlier in the week did not come to pass.

A cold front from Canada swept through Illinois on Friday night and cooled things down, said Brad Churchill, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lincoln. Churchill, however, said to expect warmer temperatures today and through the beginning of the week.

With temperatures hovering in the mid-80s under mostly sunny skies, it still was bearable for many who made it to the festival during the day.

But Sandy McCoy, a paramedic with Decatur Ambulance Service who was patrolling in Central Park during the festival, was a bit concerned about people getting too hot later in the evening.

"Too many people gather for the concerts with only elbow-to-elbow room near the stages and little air circulating and get too hot," she said. "Last year, we had a lot of people faint during the concerts."

The Water Oasis trailer by Richland Community College provided relief - free water.

Scott Hartman estimated he had handed out about 5,000 cups of free water before 2:30 p.m.

Those receiving the water have described Richland as "a life saver," Hartman said.

"You have to stay hydrated," he said. "So many people last year looked like they were about to pass out."

Matt and Kerrie Moran and their four young daughters - ages 7, 4, 2 and 5 months - had been to Richland's Oasis water trailer three times.

"It's near the Kid's Block and in the shade. And we can listen to the music while here in the park," said Matt Moran, who is from Decatur but now lives in Columbus, Ind.

Ashley Wright came to the Decatur Celebration prepared for the heat.

She had three cups of ice for her daughter, Trinity, 2, and son, Gabriel, 3, to munch on and keep them refreshed.

But after attending the parade and riding a few rides, Wright started pushing the stroller her children were in and headed back to the car by 1 p.m.

"I don't think they could take it being too hot. I know I couldn't take it," she said.

Sheila Smith can be reached at sheilas@herald-review.com or 421-7963.