FRANKLIN—For the last 14 years, the Men Searching for a Cure for Baldness’s annual Pork BBQ never experienced a rain.
For this year’s event, at the Bronco Rod & Gun Club, outside Franklin, along the Nottoway River, near your Momma’s house, beside another preposition, it rained in biblical proportions.
“I ain’t seen rain like this since Isabel,” said Bill Shannon, chairman for the 15th annual event. “It poured like a mofo for hours.”
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The weather didn’t hurt tickets sales however, with the club selling 3,000 tickets. More people than usual chose to stay on the club grounds when enthusiastic beer truck patrons held an impromptu Wet T-Shirt contest. “Lord, that was something else,” said Shannon, “that one girl sure had a lot more “talent” than the rest of ‘em, but that didn’t kill the other contestants’ spirit. I reckon it was 15 women or so in it, and two men. And lemme tell you, one of those men was a solid D cup. He won third place!” |
Groups of people gathered under the canopies and around the beer concessions. When local band Summer Love began playing on a nearby stage, the event became an evening of debauchery. With the heavy rains muddying the campground, several patrons began sliding through the mud, until numerous people were indistinguishable from the other. Muddied articles of clothing lay unused on the deck area, as things turned into a free love for all. “It was great to see everyone not let the weather keep us from having a good time,” said Shannon. “That’s a party crowd out there!”
“I think a lot of people came for the entertainment and alcohol, but we had no idea the people would wind up being THE entertainment,” Shannon said. “Wet t-shirts and mud sliding are kinda delicacies. You don’t see that at too many fundraisers.”
Not all attendees were thrilled with the atmosphere, choosing instead to remain in their vehicles, with furrowed brows, and crossed arms. One of these vehicle stricken spectators was Lillian Scotch. When asked her take on the spectacle before her, Lillian said, “It’s an outrage. I’m glad someone thinks this is an enjoyable, appropriate event because this is not something for children or anyone worthy of a Church pew on Sunday.”
Wednesday’s rain has prompted the club to host several more fundraisers in the near future, with the hope that it pours at every one. With its 16th anniversary event next May, the Men Searching for a Cure for Baldness have their work cut out for them if they hope to top this event. “We’re hoping for maybe a tropical storm, that ought to add something to it,” Shannon said.