Dunedin weather rained on the New Zealand brass band championships' parade yesterday.
Organisers cancelled the event after heavy and consistent morning rain, New Zealand Brass Band committee secretary Cathy Bennett said.
"It's a shame, because all of the bands taking part had put a lot of effort into it. They were busy practising and getting their uniforms ready all morning," she said.
"But the rain looked like it had settled in and we just had to make the call."
The street march was to have featured 23 of the 27 bands taking part in the championships, she said.
"I've told them all that once we get our new covered stadium, we'll never have to cancel a brass-band march here again."
St Kilda Brass president Peter McHenry said it was the first time in nearly 15 years the parade had to be cancelled.
"The last time I remember it being cancelled was in New Plymouth in 1996. It was absolutely bucketing down that day," he said.
"It's a real shame we had to cancel, because everybody likes seeing the brass-band street march."
The championships will continue today from 9am till 8pm with the Battle of the Bands graded competitions at the Regent Theatre and King's and Queen's Performing Arts Centre.
The final event is the Band of the Year performance tomorrow at 2pm in the Regent Theatre.
