Rain, mud rule at Glastonbury Festival

BRISTOL, England, June 28 (UPI) -- Rain and mud didn't stop 146,000 people from enjoying the start of Britain's Glastonbury Festival, attendees said.

It is the third year in a row the annual music and arts festival in Glastonbury has been deluged by rain, turning it into a bud bowl, The Independent reported Saturday.

The rain began Thursday despite weather forecasts calling for dry weather, but it didn't stop the big crowd from showing up to watch singer Kate Nash open the festival Friday.

Festival attendee Cameron Clarke, 22, said the rain and mud has essentially become "part of the experience" of Glastonbury.

"It's my first time at Glastonbury, but I knew it would rain at some point -- it always does," Clarke said. "The weather won't ruin the weekend for me; I suppose it is part of the experience."

The Independent said in addition to the inclement weather, a total of 200 crimes had been reported during the early portions of the festival.