Harlem ready for red hats

Kathy Ham hopes to see Harlem flooded with a sea of red hats this weekend at the city's monthly First Saturday event.

Ham has passed out an open invitation to all area Red Hat Society groups to attend and enjoy the city's downtown shops and restaurants.

"Many of the shops in town are going to be offering 10 percent off and things like that," Ham said of the special offers the city's florist, gift shops and six antique shops are preparing for the red hatters.

The First Saturday event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature prizes for the most attendance from a single chapter, the most outrageous hat and the smallest hat, Ham said.

Judging will be held at 2 p.m. in the Memory Garden behind city hall.

According to the official Web site of the Red Hat Society, there are 13 such groups in Columbia County, not counting the Hardy Hearts of Harlem, of which Ann Blalock is Queen Mother.

"All red hatters are invited to be the welcoming committee," Blalock said.

Harlem is home to three red hat societies: Blalock's Hardy Hearts of Harlem, Harlem Christian Red Hats and Harlem Red Hatters for Fun.

Grovetown has a society, three call Martinez home and seven are based in Evans.

An additional 22 red hat societies are based in Augusta, according to the Web site.

Ham said the Laurel and Hardy Museum and the Memory Garden will be open for the event.

Harlem restaurants, including BG's Deli and Fine Catering, Seafood of Harlem and Huddle House will be open for breakfast and lunch.

Lunch also will be available at the fundraiser at the Harlem United Methodist Church with barbecue plates being served by Helping Hands.

For more information, call Ham at (706) 556-0401.