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ATTLEBORO - The timing couldn't have been better.

While much of June was shrouded in rainy weather, after a cloudy start, the sun shone bright and warm Tuesday, the opening day for pools in Attleboro. And the thermometer made it up to a high of 86 degrees mid-afternoon, according to the Attleboro Water Department.

Children of all ages flocked to the water at Briggs Pool in Attleboro, and the squeals of delight echoed throughout the neighborhood, as kids jumped and splashed in the chilly water.

Lifeguard Tyler Chauncey, clad in a sweatshirt, watched over the deep end of the pool.

"It's kind of cold, but it's refreshing since it's hot out," he said of the water. And with weeks of unseasonable weather, it was a surprise when the sun came out.

"I was expecting rain," Chauncey said.

Weather wasn't the only concern in Attleboro.

The city's precarious financial picture threatened to shorten the summer pool season until generous benefactors stepped up with cash donations.

Genuine pool weather was icing on the cake.

"We were waiting for the pool to open," Hilda Barrios of Attleboro said as her son splashed in the shallow end, amid the mini fountains. "The kids are excited."

Attleboro parent Karen Dodsoe remained optimisitic.

"I expected nice weather for today," she said, standing in the shade of a tree.

The kids kept coming, keeping lifeguard Kayla O'Donnell busy at the entrance.

"I'm not at all surprised," she said of the amount of business the pool was getting. Business was slower at Twin Village pool in Attleboro, despite Tuesday's nice weather.

Lifeguards Erica Devine, Katie Bouley, and Nikki Nade stood at the edge of the pool while two boys played in the water.

Another swimmer laid out on a towel, catching some of this month's rare sunlight.

"It's nice that we didn't have to push back the opening day," Bouley said as she looked out at the water.

Nade agreed.

"Some people might not know that we're open yet. As they drive by, more people should start to come," Nade said.

They remain optimistic at the 53 swimming days lay ahead.

At Spatcher Pool, the water was full of children playing.

"It's better than expected," lifeguard Derek Cornetta said of opening day.

Michelle Axon and her sons, Derek and Brett, were happy to be at the pool.

"We've been waiting all winter. I was nervous that if we did get here, we wouldn't go in the water," Axon said.

Derek, wrapped tightly in a towel, chimed in that the water was cold. But, he couldn't wait to go to the pool, which he called the "waterfall pool."

Nearby, the Fagan family sat under the shade, into their third hour at the pool.

"Finally, there's something to do with the kids," mother, Lauren Fagan, said.

The Fagans bought a family summer pass, which she said she would have bought on Tuesday even if it were raining.

"Luckily, the weather cooperated."

Despite the wind and chilly water, kids splashed in the wading pools and stood under the waterfalls, embracing the summer mood.

The pools will be open until the end of the season, Aug. 21.