PARKERSBURG - Rainstorms that moved through the Mid-Ohio Valley Saturday curbed the 27th annual Parkersburg Homecoming celebration, an official said.
"Things were doing well until the rain started," said Homecoming Director Randall Roberts. "Once it hit, people ran for shelter."
However the rain did not curb the determination of some to enjoy Saturday's music.
Article Photos
Photo by Jeff Baughan
Fireworks light up the sky at the 27th annual Parkersburg Homecoming despite being threatened by rainy weather throughout the afternoon and evening.
"A little rain don't hurt nobody," said Betty Brown of Parkersburg. "Many left and stood under the bridge or got to their cars. But they are coming back."
Brown said while she was enjoying the shows Saturday, she was really looking forward to today's headliner, Grand Funk Railroad.
The second day of the fun and music was hit by the rain, some heavy, around 3:30 p.m. and continued with a small break in the early evening and more rain after 8 p.m. Saturday.
"The good thing is that there is no rain expected Sunday," a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Charleston reported for today's forecast.
Roberts said there has been rain during Homecoming in the past, but not like this year.
"In the past few years we have had sprinkles, but it never sent people going for cover," he said.
Delbert Simons, of Parkersburg, said the crowd went as the rain came but he saw them coming back.
"I've been here at Homecoming all day," he said. "But I'm staying here for the music, I like all of them."
Rachel Burd, of Parkersburg, said the rain may have put a damper on the day but it didn't keep her from enjoying the show. She said she always attends Parkersburg Homecoming on Friday and Saturday.
"I stay home on Sunday," she said.
Julie Simms, with Pony Powered Ice Cream of Lowell, said the business, which churns ice cream as ponies walk, did well for the festival's second day, despite the weather.
"The rain kind of slowed things down, but we did pretty well," she said.
Don Philips, co-owner of Ma's Kitchen concession, said the rain curbed sales for what he said has been a slow year on the fair and festival circuit.
"This has been a slow year everywhere," he said. "We've been in business for nine years and this has been slow."
Philips said this year was the first time they came to the Parkersburg Homecoming.
Randall said the most hurt during the weather glitch were the 23 food vendors and 40 arts and crafts and commercial exhibitors who lost business as the crowd scattered.
"Concessions didn't do too well through the rain, but things went very well Friday," he said. "Friday was great with a strong crowd that was starting to return Saturday after the parade, but that all changed when the rain hit."
Today's schedule of activities includes:
* 10 a.m.: Mid-Ohio Valley Model Railroad Club (610 Greet St.); Mid-Ohio Valley Chess Club Tournament (Parkersburg Municipal Building); Cornhole Singles Tournament
* 10:30 a.m.: North Parkersburg Baptist Church Services (Suddenlink Stage)
* 1 p.m.: Tiny Tot Trot and Junior Races (Parkersburg High School Stadium); Soapbox Derby (Seventh and Market streets)
* 1 p.m.: Buck and Co. (Bicentennial Park Home Stage)
* 2:30 p.m.: No One You Know (Bicentennial Park Home Stage)
* 4 p.m.: Johnny Staats Bluegrass Band (Bicentennial Park Home Stage)
* 1:15 p.m.: Cornhole Singles Tournament (Open singles) (Lot behind Judicial Building)
* 3 p.m.: Waiter and Waitress Challenge (Juliana Street)
* 5 p.m.: Rubber Ducky Derby (East Street Bridge and Little Kanawha River)
* 6:30 p.m.: F.O.P. Harley Davidson Drawing (Suddenlink Stage)
* 7 p.m.: Denzon and The Road Doggz (Suddenlink Stage)
* 8 p.m.: Grand Funk Railroad (Suddenlink Stage)
