Rain refuses to ruin Mrs. Roper Romp in Rehoboth Beach

So, let’s get dozens of people, dressed like an obscure 1970s TV character, and gather them for a group photo outside in the middle of a tropical storm.

That is exactly what happened in Rehoboth Beach Sept. 23, as the city’s first Mrs. Roper Romp went off despite the nasty weather from Tropical Storm Ophelia. 

The event was a bar crawl fundraiser for nonprofit organizations West Side New Beginnings Inc. and Rehoboth Beach Main Street.

Luckily, there was a brief lull in the rain as dozens gathered for the group photo at the Bandstand. Women and men were dolled up in caftans, red curly wigs, bedazzled glasses, curlers and costume jewelry. The storm forced many to literally hold onto the wigs.

That outfit was worn by Mrs. Helen Roper, a character on the 1970s sitcom “Three’s Company,” played by actress Audra Lindley.

Instead of saying cheese for the camera, the Rompers said “Stanley,” Mr. Roper’s name on the show. The crowd also broke out into song, singing the “Three’s Company” theme song, “Come and knock on my door ...”

After the photo, the party continued. Dozens of Rompers barhopped to the 10 participating Rehoboth restaurants to take advantage of food specials and “Three’s Company” inspired cocktails, all for a good cause.

The Mrs. Roper Romp began in 2013 with a Million Mrs. Roper March in a New Orleans parade. There are now Mrs. Roper Romp/Bar Crawl groups all over the world.