turquoise beads

MUNCIE -- Nights like Saturday night were made for Muncie Gras.

With ideal weather for the 11th annual downtown Muncie event, it didn't take long for the streets to be packed with those in pursuit of a good time.

"I've definitely been surprised by the crowds," said Dustin Rhoades, who was attending his first Muncie Gras with his fiancée, Jessica Murray.

"It's great to be out with Muncie's finest," Murray said with a laugh.

Cheryl Crowder, event director for Muncie's Downtown Development Partners, said she thought Saturday night's weather -- at about 56 degrees with clear skies at 9 p.m -- could be responsible for the largest crowd in Muncie Gras history.

"It's absolutely perfect out," said Crowder, who was wearing a zerba-inspired outfit. "At this point, it's as busy as I've ever seen it at 9 o'clock. We've really expanded our space quite a bit, and we're already seeing it being filled in."

Vendor Arttacgo Luckett said the city needs more events like Muncie Gras to get partygoers together in one spot.

"It's fun," Luckett said. "We need to have more events like this for the Muncie folk. We don't get to hang out like this too often."

Luckett was running an eyelash extension booth for those looking to enhance their looks as they roamed the streets of downtown Muncie.

"People like to be beautiful all the time," he said. "People like to enhance their beauty, and I'm the man for the job."

Muncie Gras is about the party, but it's also about the food.

Vendor Ruby Woods of Ruby's Kitchen said business was good Saturday night as she handed out her famous tenderloins and Ruby's chips.

Woods said there's a simple plan of attack when running a food operation at an event like Muncie Gras.

" You have to have it all ready," Woods said. "I do all my grilling and everything at home. Because people want it now -- they don't want to have to stand in line and wait for you to grill up something."

Yes, partying and good eats and drinks are the backbone of Muncie Gras, but it wouldn't be the annual celebration without its famous beads.