2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony live updates: Parade of Nations takes place on the Seine as Lady Gaga headlines performances

The problem with trying to throw the biggest outdoor party in the history of Paris is that it sometimes rains.

Heavily, even.

From the base of the Eiffel Tower to the sidewalk cafes and public squares of this city, tourists, Olympic fans and Parisians alike had headed out into the heavily fortified streets Friday looking for a night of fun, of anticipation, of togetherness.

Three hundred thousand people were able to watch the first Opening Ceremony not held inside of a stadium, lining the banks of the Seine River. Many thousands more, however, were left outside the guarded gates.

The plan was to take in whatever they could. Maybe catch a few notes of a song. Maybe see the fireworks. Maybe watch the show on their phone, while enjoying a night out of a park bench.

By the Eiffel Tower, a group of Mexican and Brazilian fans playfully taunted each other. Some old men played Bocce. A couple shared a bottle of wine. A father bought some bread for his kids to feed the pigeons. Some women posed for pictures.

There was excitement, even among indifferent locals. With so many streets shut down, the city belonged to the people. The energy of the Olympics could seemingly be felt in the atmosphere. This was the start of something big, even if they couldn’t see what was happening.

Then it rained. Heavily even.

The crowds began to scatter. Some crowded into corner bars to watch on television. Others just ducked under trees or headed home. Plenty held their ground, of course.

Their hair and clothes would dry. The Olympics wouldn’t be back anytime soon.