Rain Day
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Overview
Rain Day is an annual quirky tradition celebrated on July 29th in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, dating back to 1878. The local community eagerly anticipates whether it will rain on this specific day, as the tradition centers around a long-standing "rain or shine" prediction and a celebratory bet with a national celebrity. If it rains, the celebrity owes the town a custom hat; if not, the town sends the celebrity a local product, often a jar of pickles. This unique observance has grown into a significant local festival.
Origin and story
The tradition began in 1878 with Waynesburg resident William "Uncle Wash" Hopkins, who observed the frequent occurrence of rain on July 29th.
Since its inception, it has reportedly rained on July 29th in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, well over 100 times.
Quick facts
- DateJuly 29
- TypeCultural / community observance
- Great forFriends, Families, Classrooms, Teams
Also on this date
Ways to celebrate
One small Pennsylvania town has been quietly tracking the weather since 1878. Waynesburg resident William "Uncle Wash" Hopkins noticed that July 29 seemed to bring rain almost every year, and the town turned his observation into a running celebrity bet: if it rains, a chosen celebrity owes Waynesburg a custom hat; if it stays dry, the town sends them a jar of local pickles.
Check the streak yourself
- Look up Waynesburg's weather history for July 29 — the town has kept unusually meticulous records tracking whether the streak holds most years.
See how the town runs the festival
Helpful resources: The official Rain Day Festival site covers the celebrity hat tradition and the town's downtown celebration.
Start a small tradition of your own
- Pick a local date with a personal pattern — a birthday that always seems sunny, a day that always seems to rain — and turn it into your own lighthearted yearly bet with friends.
Did you know?
Rain Day has grown from Uncle Wash's simple observation into a full downtown festival in Waynesburg, with vendors, live music, and a public tally of whether the famous "rain or shine" bet paid off that year.
Fun facts
- The tradition began in 1878 with Waynesburg resident William "Uncle Wash" Hopkins, who observed the frequent occurrence of rain on July 29th.
- Since its inception, it has reportedly rained on July 29th in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, well over 100 times.
- Past celebrity bettors have included Johnny Carson, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Fred Rogers, with the wager typically being a custom hat or a jar of local pickles.
Sources and attribution
External links may lead to third-party websites.
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FAQ
- When is Rain Day?
- It is observed on July 29 each year.
- What is Rain Day?
- Rain Day is an annual quirky tradition celebrated on July 29th in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, dating back to 1878. The local community eagerly anticipates whether it will rain on this specific day, as the tradition centers around a long-standing "rain or shine" prediction and a celebratory bet with a national celebrity. If it rains, the celebrity owes the town a custom hat; if not, the town sends the celebrity a local product, often a jar of pickles. This unique observance has grown into a significant local festival.
- How do people celebrate Rain Day?
- Look up Waynesburg, Pennsylvania's Rain Day Festival, a tradition dating to 1878 that bets on whether it will rain each July 29, and start a small weather-based bet of your own with friends.
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