Ridiculous Day makes it through the rain

By Andy Hallman

The JOURNAL

    The day did not begin as planned. The flea market vendors who had set up in Central Park before 7 a.m. struggled to stay dry as light rain fell for most of the morning Saturday. By early afternoon, the rain had let up, the sun had come out, and so had the people to enjoy Ridiculous Day in downtown Washington. 

    Main Street Washington?s Ridiculous Day featured a number of activities and events. Flea market vendors from near and far set up booths on Central Park while businesses on the square brought their merchandise outside ? after the rain clouds had passed, that is. Later in the day there was a used bicycle auction held on the bandstand, and then there was a parade around the square. 

    Amanda Williams is a Brighton resident who had a booth at the flea market from which she sold stained-glass figurines and ornaments.

    ?I hand cut the glass with a glass cutter,? she said. ?I have stained-glass sun catchers, candle holders and post-it note containers.?

    Williams said the attendance at the flea market was suppressed in the morning because of the weather.

    ?It has been cold, wet and rainy,? said Williams. ?I?ve been up since 5 a.m. this morning, and it has been raining the whole time. A lot of people are driving around, looking out their window at some stuff, but other than that, there haven?t been many people.?

    Relay for Life of Washington County had a booth in Central Park as well. Team Stompers raised money through a raffle drawing and cookbook, Team Hope sold jewelry, Frisbees, teddy bears and raffle tickets and Team We was also in the booth.

    Danielle Glaspie, who works at Un-Wired on the north side of the square, wore a multitude of colored tops, a crown and a sash with the words ?Princess Un-Wired? written on it. Glaspie said that she was one of the few people who dressed up for Ridiculous Day, even though dressing up was a common practice in the past. 

    ?When I was younger, this is what everyone did,? said Glaspie. ?You came uptown and the employees dressed up and had fun. The store owners and everyone who was in the parade dressed up. It was a day to let loose and go for it.?

For the full story, see the June 7 edition of The Washington Evening Journal