ROCKLAND — Organizers and attendees of Rockland’s Summer Solstice street party held on long enough for the Pride Parade to carry their colors on Saturday. While afternoon rain kept most people indoors, many still ventured out for the street closures that were in effect Friday evening and Saturday afternoon.

Under the direction of Paul Benjamin (adorned head-to-toe in a rain slicker on Saturday), and Rockland Main Street’s David Gogel, the Main Street festivities began at 4 p.m. Friday under 70 degree warmth and ended Saturday afternoon with 55-degree temperatures, puddles and soaked clothing. 

Dry or wet, the mood remained relaxed through both days. Friday’s big draw turned out to be the surprise flash dance that filled the Main and Tillson street intersection at 6 p.m., when women dressed as older senior citizens inched their way into the roadway and were met with amplified music from a sound system. Live musicians were also strategically located in the Friday sun, yet all of the Saturday acts cancelled due to the risk of rain-damaged equipment. Regardless of the entertainment, people milled in the street, or filled the restaurants, and even in the early afternoon on Saturday the only appearance of urgency was during the sculpture race/parade when lead contestants sprinted toward the finish line. 

Some activities took place indoors, evidenced by the young children carrying crafts into the street. But the programs planned for the street could not be sustained until the scheduled 7 p.m. end time. Therefore Benjamin and Gogel opted to close the street party and reopen the street to vehicles after the Pride Parade passed by, which it did as one fairly quick moving mass of solidarity. The annual whoopie pie eating contest was cancelled, and the street reopened at 4 p.m. Ten minutes later, the skies broke and a much heavier downpour cascaded on the area.