Rainy Days And Mondays . . .

Mother Nature is such a tease. All summer long the temps topped 100 and the sky was blue above most of Texas, but in recent weeks that's changed.

Traders Village Marketplace is the largest flea market and festival complex in Texas with more than 5.5 million shoppers and festival-goers every year. From the Bayou City Cajun Festival and Houston Championship Chili Cook-off in Houston, to the Tet Lunar New Year celebration and annual Auto Swap Meet in Grand Prairie, the marketplaces' festivals and special events entertained thousands earlier this year without a hitch . . . then, the rains came.

Anyone who stages outdoor events knows the heartbreak that comes when months of planning is completely washed away in a frog-strangler filled with pine needles, paper debris and generic "stuff" of questionable origin. But, it happens.

Traders Village in Grand Prairie recently hosted its 47th annual American Indian Pow Wow - an event that normally draws more than 100,000 guests over three days. But, this year a rain dance must have mistakenly been performed, the sky opened up and the event was a washout. The event crew did its best and the Pow Wow went on beneath the cover of a giant Expo building, but the damage had already been done.

The thunder rolled in Houston for the 9th annual Village Art Car Show. With more than 35 rolling works of art and thousands of dollars in television support behind it, it was like a festive private party for the members of the Houston Art Car Klub and Traders Village staff who had not been sent home for the day. There was even a live band for dancing. Such fun on a rainy day with nobody there to enjoy it.

But, despite the rain, the pre-happening prep, and all the event day stuff that had to be done -no matter what - we survived to do the next festival - hopefully one staged in the sunshine, with parking lots filled with cash carrying, fun-loving patrons.

There is no doubt that you need a positive attitude in our industry. Singing "rain, rain, go away" may have worked for us as kids, but as grown-ups, not so much. After more than 30-waterpark-flea market-theme park-years I have learned ride the wave of rainy days, and I'm okay with that. You can't do anything to stop it, so just make alternative plans, throw on your rubber boots, and go with the flow. Don't beat yourself up over it. Just rejoice in the fact that we have the best job ever. Don't let those rainy days and Mondays get you down - right Karen?

M. Baxter