Published: June 28, 2008 12:13 am      

Festival vendors regroup after Thursday evening storm

Vendor J.R. DeSteffano of Williamstown, N.J., has been attending Johnstown’s Thunder in the Valley since its inception.

Thursday, as he set up rows of sunglasses, he talked of packing up and leaving early.

Despite four 50-pound weights holding the tent, DeSteffano’s tent was blown over and merchandise scattered during last night’s severe wind and thunderstorm.

“I might stay,” he said.

“But they’re talking about another storm.”

Compounding his worry is concern for his wife, who was blown off her chair and under a table, DeSteffano said. Although she initially refused to go to the hospital, he wondered if he should get her treatment.

She was unable to help him with resetting the damaged tent and stayed in the hotel with lacerated arms and painful ribs.

This was the second time DeSteffano has been hit by a bad storm.

The last time was four years ago at a show in Delaware.

“They say three strikes and you’re out,” DeSteffano said. “Well, one more time and I’m out.”

Cindy Burns, a neighboring vendor, came by to lend moral support.

Burns, whose tent also suffered damage in the storm, was impressed with how the city came to their aid.

“They came. They hugged the vendors and helped out. That means so much,” she said.

DeSteffano agreed and said the fire company also was very helpful.

“They pulled right up and shined the lights on us,” he said.