Waynesburg’s beloved Rain Day Festival is more than just a quirky celebration of wet weather. It’s a deep-rooted tradition that began in the 1800s when townsfolk would wait eagerly to see if it would rain on July 29. Fast forward to today, when the town still tracks rainfall on this unique date.
Thanks to the Special Events Commission, which was established in 1979, Rain Day has grown into a full-scale street fair. The team begins planning as early as January, meeting monthly to build an unforgettable experience packed into one action-filled day.
The old saying “It takes a village” to pull off this event should be followed by the addendum “and a year of planning.”
From securing sponsors and updating vendor applications to booking entertainment and arranging logistics, every detail is handled with care by the group. Food vendors, crafters, musicians, balloon artists, selfie stations, inflatables, shuttle routes, and ADA-compliant facilities are all thoughtfully organized. Partnerships with groups like the Waynesburg First Assembly of God help the committee add heartwarming activities such as free children’s games and story time.
Rain Day’s footprint covers the parks around town, chosen in part for safety, accessibility, and growing attendance. Since moving the event from High Street, we have seen a significant increase in crowd size (over 5,500 attendees annually) and reduced heat-related emergencies.
The festival includes two performance stages, dozens of vendors, and non-stop excitement. Signature contests like the Umbrella Decorating Parade, Baby Rain Day Royal Court, Little Miss Rain Drop Contest, coloring contest and the locally famous Window Decorating Contest each present unique creative and logistical challenges.
Rain Day wouldn’t be complete without its traditional “Hat Bet.” Each year, the search begins for a new celebrity for the Mayor of Waynesburg to wager a hat on the chance of rain. Each of us begins the networking outreach to find someone who knows someone, who knows someone to contact the “celebrity.”
Another challenge for the planning committee is to achieve the right balance of fun and reverence for the day’s activities. In addition to the festival-like celebrations, Rain Day takes time to honor the past, including a moment of silence for the Rain Day Boys of WWI (the men of Company K who died in France on July 29, 1918). Moreover, the Chief Hawfield First Responder Service with Honor Award, honoring the legacy of Waynesburg’s late police chief, will be awarded for the first time this year. The final honor presented is the Jack McCracken Service Award.
There are also donations to local youth groups like Troop Greene 1280 who camp out as the official rain watchers and the WCHS Golf Team, who assist with setup and cleanup.
Finally, the production is so challenging because rain or shine it’s all systems go. Ironically, the success of the outdoor festival relies on rain (hopefully just a little).
Our setup begins at 6.a.m. on July 29, with vendors checking in, volunteers assigning spots, shuttle signs posted, and streets coming alive. Events roll all day, ending with fireworks and a final sweep to tear everything down. A wrap-up meeting in August and budget planning in October keep the momentum going year-round.
COVID restrictions and PennDOT permitting forced the festival to move to the parks in 2021. Although many were nostalgic for the downtown location, the relocation brought unexpected benefits: more space, better airflow, safer streets, and easier access for emergency services.
We continue to make improvements, including patching sidewalks, adding railings and ADA-friendly features, and expanding seating. We’re hopeful grant funding will help enhance the parks for future events.
Ultimately, Rain Day thrives because of its community. We encourage and welcome volunteers to apply online at www.raindayfestival.com. Funded by sponsorships, vendor fees, and promotional sales (yes, including umbrellas!), Rain Day remains a uniquely Waynesburg tradition.
We hope you bring your lawn chairs, grab a snack, cheer on the contests, and maybe even get caught in the rain. Rain Day is more than an event—it’s the soul of the town, drizzled in hometown pride and downpours of fun.
I’m 62 and have lived here my whole life. I have many fond memories of Rain Day and love the move to the Parks. Its a wonderful celebration that is fun for all ages. Well done!