Soggy + Steamy = Poor Attendance at Strongsville Homecoming

Attendance at the Strongsville Homecoming was "dramatically down" this year due to the weather, according to organizer Tom Burichin.

"We had two days of unbelievable, record heat followed by two days of torrential rain and thunderstorms," Burichin said.

Temperatures were in the 90s last Wednesday and Thursday, the first two days of the Strongsville Chamber of Commerce's annual festival. 

On Friday and Saturday, thunderstorms dumped inches of water on the area, flooding roads and some basements and sending Homecoming crowds home early.

"You work all year to prepare and get ready," said Burichin, who heads the planning committee for the event. "But you can't control the weather."

On Saturday, some of the entertainment was called off because of the rain. Burichin said dance teams that perform on the grass in front of the stage had to be canceled.

"It was standing water in front of the stage," he said.

But most of the bands were able to play, including local country group Lawless, which closed the event Saturday night even though it rained steadily.

Organizers this year set up a huge tent that covered the stage and seating area.

"That was one piece of planning that paid off," Burichin said.

It's way too soon to project proceeds from, which the Strongsville Chamber donates to various charities and local groups.

"We donate to everything you can think of," Burichin said. "Pretty must anything going on in Strongsville, the Chamber gives money to."