Anne Luco feared Saturday would be yet another muddy day in Catonsville.
But for the first hours of the 18th annual Catonsville Home and Garden Tour, the skies were blue and the sun made a rare appearance.
In case it rained, as it had nearly every day for over two weeks prior, Luco, the chair of the Catonsville Historical Society's home and garden committee, delivered 300 pairs of disposable shoe covers to the seven homes on the tour, as not to ruin floors and carpets.
They weren't needed.
"If I hadn't bought them, it would've rained," she said.
Most of the 500 tickets offered — 368 — were sold prior to the event, Luco said. A brisk sale when doors opened brought the number of attendees closer to the cap, with organizers hopeful it would sell out.
"The different houses are so beautiful and are decorated so beautifully," said Christine Commerford, of Catonsville, who took the tour with her two daughters. "It's fascinating to see the different types of architecture in Catonsville."
Commerford and her daughters have taken the tour for about five years, she said. They enjoy learning about different techniques and they go home with brochures from local businesses who provided ideas for renovation, landscaping and decorating.
"I think it's nice that a lot of the homeowners are there and they can tell you the history of the home and what their inspirations are," said Eileen Commerford.
The list of homes on the tour is not published in advance. The variety of homes — both on the tour and in general — makes Catonsville unique, Luco said, giving viewers a look at the community's past and present.
"We were originally built as a summer community for the Baltimore wealthy, so we have those huge, huge mansions that still exist," she said. "And then over the years, additional homes have been built that fit different economic needs."
Kate Hamill and her husband, Steve Gettinger, had their Overhill Road home on tour for the second time. After 30 years, renovations on their 1920s home were finally completed, bringing the home into the 21st century, Hamill said.
She called the three-decade project a labor of love.
The home features elements that allude to her Southern California roots, their love of the French countryside and a traditional East Coast cottage.
"If you see your house as an art project or an aesthetic project over the years, then it's a pleasure to share it with people," she said. "It's like a painting or a piece of music."
Hamill enjoys the tour because she knows there is intrigue among the homes of Catonsville. You can walk or drive the streets of Catonsville and have no idea what is beyond the front door, she said.
"You can't tell what a house is like inside from the outside. People don't show things off in the front," she said. "That's what's part of the pleasure of this."
The oldest house on the tour turned 100 this year. Its owners, Aubrey and Rick Altmann, bought the South Rolling Road home in July.
For Aubrey Altmann, who stood at the front door to greet visitors, the tour was a way to meet neighbors.
"I think a lot of people who have seen the house in all its different stages have been interested in wanting to see it," she said. "This is the perfect opportunity."
Louise Wall of Elliott City and Theresa Frederick of Catonsville took the tour for their second year. They enjoy the opportunity to peek into other people's homes.
"It gives us great ideas on how we can improve and tidy up our houses," Wall said.