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Sliding through extreme puddles on the Clute Park grounds was among the limited activities available during Sunday's deluge.

Rain plagues festival finale

WATKINS GLEN, Aug. 8 -- The 32nd annual Schuyler County Italian-American Festival closed on a wet note Sunday, with two hours of heavy rain chasing most people to shelter.

The rain cleared about 2:30, leaving behind extremely wet grounds at the festival site, Clute Park. Rides resumed after that, and a reduced number of festival-goers continued to enjoy the food at vendor tents lining the walkway near the park pavilion.

The Entertainment Tent, where Steve Southworth and the Rockabilly Rays were providing their brand of 1950s and '60s rock music, was a popular haven during the storm -- which was torrential for more than a half-hour. But just before the skies started clearing, the band -- with the rain leaking through tent pole openings and onto the stage -- decided the puddling there was too risky a place for electric equipment, and so packed up early. The decision was met with warm applause from the audience ringing the tent's interior -- pleased that they had had such a pleasant and musical place to stay during the storm.

The festival had, the day before, been fortunate with intermittently rainy weather. The annual parade -- from the high school, up Decatur Street and east on Fourth Street to the park -- went off just as a morning-long rain ended, and the night's fireworks display was carried out in dry conditions after more rain had fallen in the afternoon.

The festival opened Friday, and that day featured the sixth annual Pasta Eating Contest sponsored by the Southern Finger Lakes Women and Seneca Harbor Station. For the fifth time in those six years, Kenni May of Millport took the title, downing more spagehetti than any of his four competitors in a three-minute time frame.

Emcee for the event was Mike Stamp, who talked his daughter Allison -- bound soon for her freshman year at SUNY Geneseo -- into competing against May, Josh Morey of Watkins Glen, Rich Howard of Watkins Glen, and Anthony Massaro of Buffalo. Morey took second place in the competition, while Massaro was third.

Friday's live music was provided by the Schuyler Scoundrels. They were followed Saturday night by Shylock Foxx. Concluding the musical presentations was Sunday afternoon's Rockabilly Rays -- scheduled from noon to 4 p.m., but finishing 90 minutes early.

In addition to the live music, Sunday’s final-day highlights included the Nick Preston Memorial Motorcycle Extravaganza, featuring cycles from around the region. Judging occurred before the major part of the storm system moved through.

The festival featured more than 20 food concessions, upwards of 50 craft vendors and, of course, amusement rides and midway games.

Except for the amusements, all of the entertainment was free. There was no admission to the festival, and parking on Clute Park grounds was $5 per vehicle.

As part of its emphasis on offering a family-friendly experience, the organizing committee prohibited all outside alcoholic beverages from the festival grounds..

Local wines and ice-cold beer was available for purchase at the festival’s beer garden, a designated area designed to offer a relaxing atmosphere for festival-goers 21 and older.

All proceeds from the festival are returned to the community through donations and scholarships.

Photos in text:

Top: Steve Southworth, lead singer of the Rockabilly Rays, performs in the Entertainment Tent -- which proved a popular haven during the worst of the storm.

Middle: The midway was already full of reflective puddles from a 12:30 p.m. soaking an hour before the heaviest of the rain struck.

Bottom: A young girl found a way to enjoy the conditions at the festival.

Musician Steve Southworth starts packing up equipment after the stage in the Entertainment Tent puddled despite the use of towels to try and dry it.

Despite the rain, some poncho-clad festival-goers ventured out to buy food at vendor stands.

And Saturday:

Fireworks filled the sky Saturday night above Seneca Lake -- a highlight of the festival.

Watkins Glen Village Trustee Scott Gibson waves during the parade while riding on a fire truck.

As always, flags were on display during the parade.

Left: Freedom Village's parade tribute to our troops. Right: More of Saturday night's fireworks.

The Prime Time Brass band of Rochester was among the parade's musical groups.

Joe Fazzary, a candidate for Schuyler County Judge, greets potential voters along the parade's Decatur Street route.

Left: Dennis Morris, a candidate for Schuyler County Judge, waves as he passes by spectators on Decatur Street. Right: The Kirby Band from Nichols, NY.

Left: Parade chairman John Vona. Right: Parade announcer Jim Howell.

Left: Watkins Glen Mayor Mark Swinnerton, riding on the back of a firetruck in the parade. Right: Village Trustee Wayne Weber, riding in the firetruck.

Gary Whyman, a candidate for Schuyler County Treasurer, chats with members of the Prime Time Brass band while the parade was momentarily at a halt.

Left: County Treasurer Peggy Starbuck, who is seeking reelection. Right: Brooke Koseba, the VFW Post 2674's 2011 Poppy Girl.

Members of the Chiarraighe Celtic Dancers of Horseheads.

A member of the Fairport Fire Department Marching Band.

The Williamsport Junior-Senior High School Marching Band from Tioga, Pa., was among the parade entertainers.

Two girls aboard a float from the Horseheads-based His Tabernacle Family Church peer back at parade units behind them.

And on Friday:

Pasta Eating Contest: Kenni May (left) was the winner, besting Allison Stamp (right) and three other contestants.

Left: A lemonade stand, one of many food vendors at the festival. Right: Drummer Ed Lovell of the musical group Schuyler Scoundrels.

A couple of youngsters enjoy the festival Fun Slide.

Left: Henna Body Art was available at one of the vendor stands. Right: There were many students on hand to enjoy the festival.

Left: The rock wall attracted customers of all sizes. Right: Scott Muir entertains as part of the Schuyler Scoundrels musical group.

Left: Bingo was, as usual, a popular attraction. Right: Maria Chavez of Chile, a Rotary Exchange Student ending her visit to the United States on Monday, was present at Rotary's Over-Under game booth at the festival.

Left: Taylor Carey and her mother Michelle were among the festival visitors. Right: Mark Stephany singing lead during the Schuyler Scoundrels' performance.

The Conklin sisters, Jaclyn (left) and Jenn.

Kids were having fun on the festival's rides.