It's not really a convention. It's actually a birthday party. And the Red Hats are ready.
It's the second time Red Hats in the Battlefords have hosted the provincial celebration of founder Sue Ellen Cooper's birthday.
The last convention attracted 300 Red Hats from around the province, and this time around organizers are expecting the same number. Two hundred were registered as of last week, and the deadline for registration is March 1. The event will run from Friday, April 20 to Sunday, April 22 at the Gold Ridge Convention Centre.
While the minimum age to become a Red Hat is 50, one of the convention-goers will be 101 years old, says Queen Evelyn McKay, who first brought the Red Hats to the Battlefords. Women under 50 can become Pink Hats, sort of Red Hats in waiting.
There are now so many Red Hatters in the Battlefords they've had to form three separate groups in order to make their activities more manageable. The original group is named the Battlefords Belles, and there are now two additional groups named the Regal Rubies and the Classic Cardinals.
Of course, the purpose of the Red Hat Society is simple - to have fun.
The red and purple attire is a big part of fun. So are shopping sprees and coffee parties.
But, being community-minded as well, Red Hatters in the Battlefords can often be found performing good works such as planting flower beds, hosting birthday parties for seniors and visiting the ill in hospital.
The Red Hat Society is an international society made up of women of all ages. The society, originally designed as a way for women over 50 to escape the pressures and demands placed on their everyday lives, has matured, growing deeper than "fun and friendship" and including women of all ages. The international society is dedicated to reshaping the way women approaching 50 and beyond are viewed in today's culture by supporting and encouraging women to pursue fun, friendship, freedom, fulfillment of lifelong dreams and fitness. It serves as the centre point of all communications and opportunities for its members offering tools, tips, discounts, services and events specifically with Red Hatters in mind.
The Red Hat Society has spent the last 12 years developing a strong online communication tool for members assisting them in gaining new and exciting ways to enjoy life, sharing their unique and motivating stories and finding local hatters and activities they can participate in.
