Jul 24, 2009 5 min read

WAYNESBURG – On Wednesday, July 29, Greene County residents will once again flock to downtown Waynesburg to celebrate the annual tradition of Rain Day. And those who attend this year’s festivities in hopes of finding a little rain will also find a full slate of fun all throughout the day. The 2009 Rain Day celebration, once again organized by the Waynesburg Special Events Commission, will take place on High Street from 11 a.m. till at least 9 p.m.

The annual street festival will feature an umbrella-decorating contest, a country music showdown, a Baby Rain Day contest, a merchant window decorating contest, children’s games and activities, crafts and food booths, and free live entertainment throughout the day on the Rain Day stages.

The day will begin with the traditional umbrella-decorating contest at 11:30 a.m. There is no pre-registration for the umbrella contest; participants may sign up prior to the contest at the Special Events Commission booth in front of the courthouse.

There is a $2 entry fee. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners. There is no theme for the contest; however, the umbrellas must be functional and should display the “spirit” of Rain Day.

At 12 p.m., Rain Day will present the “Dialed Action Sports Team BMX Stunt Show” on Church Street, followed by performances in front of the courthouse from the Ginny McClelland Dancers at 1 p.m., Jackson Gardner at 1:30 p.m., the Barbara Moschetta Dancers at 2 p.m. and Lauren Abadini and Ella Gannis at 2:30 p.m.

The “Dialed Action Sports Team BMX Stunt Show” will feature another appearance on Church Street at 3:30 p.m.

The 2009 Miss Greene County Pageant participants will grace the stage at 3 p.m., and then the annual Colgate Country Showdown Competition – sponsored by WANB Radio – will begin at 4 p.m. Contestants will compete locally in the showdown competition on the Rain Day stage for the opportunity to perform in the state Country Showdown to be held later this year.

For the fourth consecutive year, the “Husband Calling Contest” will be held during Rain Day. Wives wishing to participate should register throughout the day at the Special Events Commission booth near the main stage. There is no fee to enter.

During the family-oriented contest, wives will have 15 seconds to “call” their husbands. Waynesburg Borough Police Chief Tim Hawfield, who came up with the idea to hold the contest, said wives who use profanity and/or suggestive language will not only be disqualified but may even be arrested.

Creativity will be encouraged by the panel of judges. The winner will receive a monetary award and plaque, and the winner’s name will be placed on a “Golden Rolling Pin.” Sponsors for the contest are First Federal Savings and Loan of Greene County, McCracken’s Pharmacy, Greene County Messenger and the Special Events Commission. The contest begins at 6 p.m.

The Miss Rain Day contestants will perform on the upper stage on at 6:30 p.m.

At 7 p.m., awards will be presented to the winners of the traditional 5k Races, which will be held on Saturday, July 25.

Also at 7 p.m., a special tribute to Company K soldiers will be held, and the winners of the Rain Day window-decorating contest – which was held earlier this month – and the best-decorated booth will also be announced.

The Baby Rain Day contest will be held once again this year. Each year a new Baby Rain Day King, Queen, Prince and Princess is crowned and honored on the Rain Day stage.

Winners in each category are determined by the number of votes received. The contestants’ cans will be displayed at the Special Events Commission booth near the courthouse on Rain Day until 3 p.m.

All participants should be present at Rain Day at 7 p.m. near the stage. The winners will be announced and crowned on stage.

Headlining Rain Day is the country group “The Stickers,” who will be rockin’ the upper stage in front of the Greene County Courthouse. The band will perform on the Rain Day stage at 7:30 p.m.

The Stickers are three-time winners of the Billboard Award and have performed with many country superstars, including Clint Back, Mark Wills and Travis Tritt.

They were featured on the main stage at the Jamboree in the Hills on July 16.

The Special Events Commission is once again proud to provide free quality entertainment to anyone who wants to join in on the fun on Rain Day.

This year marks the 135th year of the rain watch.

It has rained 110 out of the last 134 years, but it did not rain last year.

The annual Rain Day hat bet also returns this year, as Waynesburg Mayor Blair Zimmerman recently announced that this year’s bet is with Miss America 2009 Katie Stam.

Each year, the mayor bets a celebrity that it will rain on July 29, with the loser having to hand over a hat of their choice.

Previous hat bettors have included a number of celebrities such as Donald Trump, Will Ferrell and Chubby Checker, and sports figures such as Troy Polamalu, Troy Aikman and Mario Lemieux.