Should you happen to notice a profusion of red hats in Cherry Lane Shopping Centre Monday, rest assured, there is nothing wrong with your vision.
It’s just because it’s National Red Hat Day, and ladies from the local Red Hat Society are out celebrating.
“The Red Hat Society in general, it comes of age on Monday, it’s 18 years old on Monday,” said Ambassador Queen Doreen Gardner. “In the local area, we celebrate our 13th anniversary next month.”
There will be members of neighbouring clubs joining the local group, which has 34 members.
“It is growing and we have fun,” said Gardner.
The celebration gets underway at 11:30 a.m. in Cherry Lane, with Coun. Campbell Watt standing in as deputy mayor to read the official proclamation of National Red Day from the City of Penticton. After that’s done, the ladies will head out on a “mall crawl,” parading through the shopping centre, showing of their finery—full regalia includes distinctive red hats and purple outfits if you are 50 or older, pink hats and lavender outfits if you are under 50—and just having a ball.
Fun and companionship is key to the group, said Gardner.
“We don’t raise money for anything, we just have fun,” said Gardner. Beyond causing a ruckus in the mall, the Red Hat Ladies also like to spread the cheer by visiting care homes, like a recent visit to Village by the Station, where they helped the residents—male and female—prepare Easter bonnets for an impromptu Easter Parade.
“I am a crazy 82-year-old,” said Gardner, who recounts how after losing one of her feathers while dancing, was told by one of the gentlemen, that ‘if she had another feather, she could fly.’
The Red Hat Society is a global organization—with members in 17 countries—for women approaching the age of 50 and beyond that connects, supports and encourages women in their pursuit of fun, friendship, freedom, fulfillment and fitness. By maintaining a thriving social networking community and offering a variety of services and group experiences, the Red Hat Society revitalizes its Members, helping them attain renewed confidence, pride and enthusiasm for life.