More than a month after the Aberdeen City Council stopped the funding for Harbor Art Guild, which Aberdeen Rain Glow Festival is part of, Mayor Doug Orr started a fundraiser on Facebook to ensure the annual festival continues in 2024.
The city council stopped the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) funding because they see Orr’s status as both mayor and president of Harbor Art Guild (HAG) as a “conflict of interest.” The lack of city funding so far has put the onus on Orr, who is also the HAG’s president, and community members to find a way to get the festival the money it needs to continue.
The fundraising target for the event is $10,000, according to Orr’s donation link. As of Monday afternoon, 41 people have donated a combined $2,142 for the festival. It’s only been six days since Orr started taking donations for HAG.
Given the number of donations and the financial figure raised so far, it’s clear the festival is one Grays Harbor County residents want to continue.
Attracting outsiders
Ruth Hamilton, president of The Friends of the Aberdeen Museum (FAM), added detail to help piece together why Rain Glow is important for the city.
“I think Rain Glow is an event that draws people to downtown,” Hamilton said. “I know last year the hotels were all booked for people coming in to attend Rain Glow. One of the things we want is to bring people here. It’s an exciting event.”
Hamilton, who’s from Hoquiam, said FAM has been involved every year. She described how the festival has been a successful event through its first few years. She used the first year and 2023 as examples.
“Our first event was an installation at the Morck Hotel, where we laid out lighted pathways and we had blown-up photos of the hotel when it opened in 1924,” Hamilton said. “Several of us were in costumes. … We had 600 people come through. They were lined up around the block between 9 (p.m.) and 1 (a.m.) that night. Of course locals were thrilled to be able to be inside the Morck again because it had been closed for a number of years. It just brought back a lot of happy memories for people. We felt satisfied that we were able to share some of the local history in a unique way.”
In the years since, Rain Glow has continued to attract hundreds.
Hamilton said in 2023 there were “over 600 people” who came through Rain Glow’s “Wishkah Market.” Volunteers sold penny candy. They sold root beer floats for 25 cents.
“People were excited and enthusiastic,” Hamilton said. “It was just a wonderful event. And certainly, being that it’s Rain Glow, each of the Glow Worlds are lit up in some way. It’s colorful. Being that they’re lit up, it’s more effective at night than it would be during the day. It makes a really exciting and kind of exotic activity and it’s fun for kids and adults. It’s a really cool thing.”
Hamilton said if the festival continues on an annual basis, she and others who help put it on can build enthusiasm for it and how they can also get people to come to Aberdeen for something different.
“As we start to draw from outside, I think it can be bigger and better,” Hamilton said. “I really think the city should support it.”
Hamilton also talked about the painstaking hours Orr has put into the festival.
“Mayor Orr, before he was mayor, he invested an incredible amount of personal time building sets and entryways and stringing lights and arranging for power generators, all kinds of things,” Hamilton said. “I think he actually went in the hole more than once pulling it off, but it’s a huge success for the community. I would really encourage the city to reconsider their decision to not fund Rain Glow. I just do not understand that because the whole idea is to promote Aberdeen.”
While Hamilton is clearly an ardent supporter of the festival, she’s far from the only one. Laveta Bowen, a community member, contributed $25 to Orr’s fundraiser. She has plans to contribute more in the future.
“Rain Glow is a vibrant, fun event that gives delight to Grays Harbor families as well as visitors,” Bowen said. “It is a celebration of community and creativity, a chance to come out on a summer night and join a costume party of lighted amazing creations. It is a mood of energy and spirit that says Aberdeen’s best days are ahead and not behind. It is beauty and delight bringing people together.”
Bowen added why she contributed.
“I want the event to continue,” said Bowen, who also added her belief that removing the funds is a political move against Orr.
City council’s stance
Kacey Morrison, Aberdeen City Council president, explained Friday where the city council sits on the issue.
“I certainly can’t speak to the thoughts and motivations of my peers on the city council, but I can tell you that not one of us took this situation lightly,” Morrison said. “All members of the council recognize the importance and benefit of this popular community event. We acted on the recommendation given to us by the LTAC committee, which is comprised of five members, of which only one is a member of council. With the exception of one abstention and one dissenting, the council concluded that Section 12 of Charter of the City of Aberdeen was very clear: ‘No officer of the city shall be, directly or indirectly, interested in any contract with the city or for any institution, board, officer, agent or employee thereof, for the use of the city, or become surety for the performance of any such contract.’ This is law that we must adhere to and this is in place for the protection of the people, the city and elected officials.”
That said, it sounds as if Morrison and the rest of her council colleagues are in support of Rain Glow continuing.
“Mayor Orr has contributed tremendously to the betterment of our community through the arts, events, and volunteerism — and now as the leader of our city,” Morrison said. “I understand that a grassroots community fundraiser has been started to ensure that Rain Glow will continue this year — I am confident that all members of the council are ready and willing to offer their support not only in this effort, but in working together with Mayor Orr on a robust agenda that prospers our city and brings more great community events, growth, and positive change to Aberdeen.”
Aberdeen City Councilor Stan Sidor also weighed in on the issue and where the city council stands. The city council’s Feb. 28 agenda shows a recommendation that the city council “reconsider LTAC Grant applications from Harbor Art Guild.” The city council tabled the issue at the meeting.
“It is my understanding that the council tabled this matter until the next council meeting on March 13, when I expect to be in attendance, so that I may present ‘the case’ to the council for referring this back to reconsideration (again),” Sidor said.
While “conflict of interest” is what the city council is worried about, Hamilton doesn’t think that conflict exists.
“I don’t see any conflict at all. None of this money goes into Mr. Orr’s pocket. This is all for Aberdeen,” Hamilton said. “The first year he raised money to create the pocket park in front of the senior center next door. I think the second year was scholarships for students. None of this is for him and he put in so many hours. He didn’t get paid for that. I wonder if the man ever sleeps. He’s just so productive and so creative. And to say there’s some kind of conflict, I just don’t get that. Do people feel he should abandon all of his efforts to make Aberdeen and Grays Harbor better just because he’s the mayor? I mean the Harbor Art Guild benefits from his talent and experience and expertise. If he had to walk away from the Guild just because he’s the mayor, there’s nobody else who has his experience and ability to fill the gap. We’re all trying to make things better in Aberdeen. I think it’s shortsighted.”
To donate
In order to donate to “Aberdeen Rain Glow Festival for the Harbor Art Guild,” go to the following link: https://shorturl.at/gtN09
Contact Reporter Matthew N. Wells at matthew.wells@thedailyworld.com.
Rick Moyer / Moyer Multi Media LLC A child holds a neon green lightsaber during the 2023 iteration of Aberdeen Rain Glow Festival. “Every year Amy (Moyer) and I have gone to Rain Glow, we have enjoyed the creativity and fun crowd that gathers,” said Rick Moyer, who photographed the event. “The lights and ‘glow’ of the event is creative and unique. I love the sense of community and fun that it emits.”
Matthew N. Wells / The Daily World Ruth Hamilton, president of The Friends of the Aberdeen Museum, discusses her thoughts on Aberdeen Rain Glow Festival and the issue its facing: lack of funding from the city.
