At Schumacher’s in Buford , GA

July 31, 2004

With an attendance of over 270 ladies from not only all over Georgia but also from Alabama and South Carolina you missed a great western themed event if you did not attend. There plenty of vendors with great prices to fit everyone’s needs including a photographer that was printing photos onsite. We created a photo op area with a life size wagon and decorated it with hay, horse saddle and Red Hat decorations, which most people took advantage of for group and/or individual photos. Prizes were given to the first Red Hatter to sign up, first Pink Hatter to sign up, the Queen with the most in attendance and plenty more including some collectibles and fun things. An event T-shirt was also given to each attendee.

Entertainment included a hat workshop provided by Nicholas Kneil who educated us on not only some of the history of the hat, but how to decorate it, how to store or ship the hats, and later on sold many goodies he brought with him. Beginning with beautiful feathers, to ribbon bows, and gorgeous silk ribbons.

We also enjoyed a talk given by Dr. Shirley Garrett, author of a Tap Water Girl Bottled in a Tap Water World. She had us doing games, laughing and her talk was definitely enjoyed. She stayed the rest of the afternoon with us as she is a Red Hatter herself.

In addition, we were entertained by the Red hat Tappers made up from various Red Hat Chapters. They seemed to be a hit and were thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Finally we had a red hat cake doll. One of our red hatters explained “how to” make one step by step and provided instructions.

It certainly took a lot of work and effort to put this event together, but all our ladies helped to make it a success. Would we do it again? Probably but with another theme just for the sake of variety and start working on it earlier than we started planning for the Round-Up which only gave us about four months to get it all put together. My only suggestion for others considering putting one of these big events together is to start early, many months in advance and secure a location that will accommodate the number of attendees you are targeting, then work on the catering part and mostly entertainment.

From the Bodacious Babes, thanks for coming and sharing a fun day!
Keep a lookout for the next Round-Up 2005

Elaine Bramson, Lady Salsa
Queen Mother, Bodacious Babes
email: Elaine.Bramson@sciatl.com