Reflecting on Rain Day 2011
Pictured with their parents and with Joanna Allen, 2011 Miss Rain Day, are the winners of the Baby Rain Day contest: King, Nathaniel Phillips of Spraggs; queen, Kendyl Virgili of Waynesburg; prince, Zachary Ashcraft of Waynesburg; and princess, Patience A. Webster of Graysville. (Photo by Melody Longstreth)
"Eulah Mae" (a character humorously portrayed by Ramona Mills) was one of several contestants competing in the annual "Husband Calling Contest," which was held during Rain Day. Eulah Mae won the contest.
WAYNESBURG — Hundreds of residents flooded High Street last Friday to enjoy a full slate of food, entertainment and fun during the annual event known as Rain Day.
?They were also there to celebrate the fact that, for the 113th time out of the last 137 years, rain fell on Waynesburg Borough on July 29, continuing a long, successful and unique local tradition.
The rain certainly made a big impact on the festivities, as a windy thunderstorm rolled through at 5:20 p.m., toppling tents and sending many vendors packing. The headlining entertainment act for the evening, the band “No Bad Ju Ju,” also was canceled due to the storm.
Earlier in the day, Waynesburg Mayor Blair Zimmerman was making a splash of his own at the dunking booth located at the far end of the blocked-off High Street. Zimmerman took his turn getting dunked as temperatures reached the mid- to upper-90s.
Hours before the sudden storm impacted the area and continued the long-running tradition of rainy Rain Days, Zimmerman said he hoped for rain, but a lack of precipitation on that day would not dampen his spirits..
“If it rains or doesn’t rain, it’s always a good day,” Zimmerman said following his turn in the booth.
The booth was sponsored by the Waynesburg Quarterback Club, which also was selling Waynesburg Raiders gear. Amy Caldwell, a member of the club, said the booth had been popular, with clusters of people gathering to dunk the different personalities.
Despite a lack of precipitation in the early afternoon, scores of people flocked to the Greene County seat to listen to bands, play children’s games and purchase lemonade and food.
Numerous booths ranging from political committees and businesses to vendors selling items such as jewelry and candles lined the downtown streets.
Joanna Allen, Miss Rain Day 2011, said winning the crown was a dream come true for her. The 16-year-old daughter of George and Georgeanna Allen of Waynesburg said she was having the time of her life despite the extreme heat.
She has attempted to win the crown in two prior years, but had been unsuccessful.
“This is a dream come true and I’m experiencing it. The third time is a charm,” Allen said.
Waynesburg police chief Tim Hawfield again presented the annual husband-calling contest, which offered a prize of $500 this year. Hawfield said past contests haven’t had many participants, but this year he said the prize money is a significant enticement.
Among the judges of the contest this year were District Attorney Marjorie Fox and Assistant District Attorney Linda Chambers.
The contest gives wives 15 seconds to “call” their husband, but they can’t use profanity and/or suggestive language. This year the contestants were judged on costumes and had to answer questions on “country redneck hillbilly” and “Americana” categories.
This year the contest was won by “Eulah Mae,” a humorous character portrayed by Ramona Mills of Waynesburg.
The rainfall also meant that Zimmerman won this year’s Rain Day hat bet. Throughout the years, various celebrities have made hat bets with the mayor over whether or not it will rain on July 29. They have included Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, former Pittsburgh broadcaster Myron Cope, actor Will Ferrell and businessman Donald Trump.
This year the bet was with Josh Koscheck, an Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter and Waynesburg native who now lives in Fresno, Calif.
This marks the eighth hat bet for Zimmerman as mayor, and he now holds a 5-3 record.
Other Rain Day performances and activities included the Baby Rain Day and umbrella contests; the Colgate Country Showdown; performances by the Ginny McClelland Dancers, Jackson Gardner, the Barbara Moschetta Dancers, Funkin Champions, Billie Downie and the 45, and Miss Greene County Pageant participants; and much more.
In addition to the fun and festivities, there were quite a few winners announced for various competitions and contests held throughout the day.
Winners of the Baby Rain Day competition were: King, Nathaniel Phillips of Spraggs; queen, Kendyl Virgili of Waynesburg; prince, Zachary Ashcraft of Waynesburg; and princess, Patience A. Webster of Graysville.
Webster also won the best decorated Baby Rain Day can and received a savings bond.
The winner of the Colgate Country Showdown was Rae Lynn McMillion of Washington, followed by second-place winner Christi Williams of Yatesboro.
For the Rain Day umbrella contest, the Waynesburg Borough Central Park Playground swept the contest, placing first through third place.
For the best decorated booth contest, first place was won by Greene County Human Services Early Intervention, followed by F.O.R.C.E. (second place) and Amedisys Hospice Services (third place).
The first-place award for the Rain Day window-decorating contest went to Sherwin Williams. They will receive the coveted Golden Watering Can for one year for their efforts. Winning second place was Waynesburg Gold and Coin Exchange and third place honors went to Waynesburg Press.
Also presented on Rain Day was the Jack McCracken Award; according to Waynesburg Borough representatives, the award is named in honor of Jack McCracken for his efforts as a humanitarian, civic leader and role model, a man who “served God, his family and his community with integrity and an open heart,” according to information provided by the borough. McCracken passed away in 2009.
The award will be presented each Rain Day to an individual or business that best exemplifies the positive attributes that Jack McCracken stood for, borough representatives said.
This year’s award was presented on Rain Day to Chuck Baily of Waynesburg.