June 4 probably seemed like a good day for an outdoor wedding, a community festival or a camping trip.
Most years, it is. Not 2011.
An early June storm system has moved into the East Bay this weekend. Forecasters say it will bring significant rain on Saturday and showers on Sunday.
Most people can't remember the last time it rained here in June, much less as much as this storm is supposed to produce.
After all, on this weekend last year, it was a sunny 83 degrees.
The Contra Costa County Fair, which opened this past week in Antioch, is usually more concerned with people suffering from heat exhausation. This year, they'll be concerned with keeping people dry.
The organizers of the Art and Wine Festival in Walnut Creek haven't experienced this before either.
Officials at the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce said it has never rained in the 30 years they've held this event.
Since this was the 30th anniversary, the chamber folks had added extra attractions, hoping to top the 100,000 visitor mark again. That goal is now iffy.
Officials at the Anthony Chabot Regional Park say their overnight camping grounds are fully booked this weekend.
Janet Gomes, the park's supervisor, said they had only received one cancellation as of midday Friday.
They're expecting almost 800 campers this weekend and they're advising all of them to bring tarps.
"You'll get pretty wet just sleeping in a tent," Gomes said.
Gomes said the recent rains have also played havoc with the park's maintenance schedule. Crews haven't been able to mow or prune, leaving the grounds looking a little ragged.
The park is also hosting its annual Lake Chabot Trails Challenge race. The trails will be a bit muddy for the runners.
Other races will have to be done in the rain.
The annual Livermore-Pleasanton Firefighters Foundation Hook and Ladder Run on Sunday morning will be a wet one.
The San Ramon Valley Little League is hosting playoff games this weekend. Their website urges people to check with officials to make sure the contests will be played.
The East Bay's many farmers markets are also affected.
Greg Pursley, market manager of the Pacific Coast Farmers' Market Association, said the rains could reduce the crowds this weekend at the 68 markets they oversee, including the Union City Farmers' Market.
More importantly, he said, is the rain may keep some growers from coming and setting up shop. Many farmers haven't been able to get into the fields to harvest their produce and crops. If they're driving all the way from the Central Valley, they want to have enough goods to make it worth their while.
Pursley said the growers who do show up will make the best of it. They do put on farmers' markets in the rainy winter months, so they are used to it.
Just not in early June.
