Kent County Daily Times - June 17, 2002

Rain doesn't wash out Coventry pride
BENJAMIN DEMERS, Daily Times Staff Reporter


WASHINGTON VILLAGE -- The Coventry Pride Committee had everything in order to have a crowd-pleasing festival this past weekend at Foster Park. But while they were able to select the bands, comedy acts, wrestlers, and other attractions, they weren't able to choose the weather.

Roughly 3,000 people braved the unusually cold summer weather to attend the first annual Coventry Pride Days festival, which started on Thursday and ended last night. While numerous weather-related problems were encountered, members of the committeeconsidered the event a success and looked forward to doing it again next year.

"It was unfortunate that we couldn't control the weather, but this weekend's events were only the beginning for us," said Town Council President Kevin D. McGee, who helped organize the festival. "We were talking on Sunday morning on ways to enhance the experience next year and we've already come up with some really good ideas."

A definite highlight of the festival was the range of different acts that appeared over the four days. This included entertaining matches by the Power League Wrestling organization out of Pawtucket on Thursday night, an appearance by comedy group Ocean State Follies on Saturday, and yesterday's performance by local band Hawkins Rise.

While public safety officials were able to play in the fourth annual Guns and Hoses softball game, firefighters throughout the town probably wished they hadn't. The seven-inning contest turned into a one-sided thrashing as the Coventry Police Department decimated the Coventry Fire Departments by a score of 63-16.

"We were the most improved team, so we should have gotten a trophy for that" said Town Councilman and Washington Fire Lt. Bill Hall. "Last year we lost 37-3 so this was an obvious improvement."

While the softball game was completed on Saturday, numerous other events were canceled. This included all activities after 7 p.m. on Friday night and also the Coventry Pride Hometown Heroes Parade the next morning.

"I feel bad for the people that put this event on, because the weather played havoc with all of their plans," said Bob Webster, owner of Amron Family Fun Fare out of Johnston, who provided numerous carnival attractions over the weekend. "The weather, especially the rain, put a definite damper on the events scheduled but that's nature."

The Coventry Pride Committee will be hoping that inclement weather doesn't again come into play for other events scheduled this summer. This includes the Joe Strauss Soccer tournament on July 20 and 21 and the Coventry Historical Society's Annual Arts and Craft fair on August 11.

ŠKent County Daily Times 2007