Dizzy Dames host Red Hat Weekend

Peggy Laizure

Transcript Features Editor

All the red in town last weekend had nothing to do with OU football. Red Hatters from all over Oklahoma and beyond were in Norman for the third annual state wide Red Hat weekend, hosted by The Dizzy Dames With the Red Hats.

The theme for the weekend was "Hooray for Hollywood." Red Hatters stepped back in time to celebrate Hollywood during its heyday.

"Scarlett O'Hara," "Carol Channing" and even "Popeye" attended the "Academy Awards" dinner at Sooner Legend Inn -- Suites Saturday. Dizzy Dame Nancy Buck made all the table decorations of director's clapboards in red and purple top hats.

The evening began with "Liz Taylor" (Dizzy Dame Queen Aughe) making her entrance from a white stretch limo provided by HNR Limos. "Elvis" (Mike Black) entertained the ladies long into the night. "Oscars" were given for best performance and best makeup and many more categories.

"The weekend began Friday afternoon with Jodi Hoffman, queen of Hats on a Hot Tin Roof from Poteau and her chapter members putting on a fun and informative hat demonstration that was well received by all the participants," said Aughe.

The evening ended with ice cream sundaes and a showing of Doris Day and Norman native James Garner in "Move Over Darling."

Dizzy Dame Sydney Shilling emceed a fashion show sponsored by Dillards at a pajama party Saturday. Dames Aughe, Pam Argo, Joan Boehrer, Janet Johnson and Judy Murray modeled the fashions. Later, the Dizzy Dames hosted a luncheon at the "Brown Derby" with special guests Red Hot Vets from the Norman Veterans Center. A performance by Norman North High School Jazz Choir, led by Tony Gonzalez, was as good as any band Hollywood had ever heard, the Red Hatters said.

"It's was so much fun!" said Aughe. "This was our third year of hosting this special weekend event. The first year's theme was "Mardi Gras," last year we saluted our state's centennial and this year, Hollywood. Each year gets better and better. Just think, a whole weekend of food, fun, and strutting," Aughe said.

The idea for the weekend began with Aughe. Oklahoma City has a Red Hat gathering and Tulsa has a red hat tea, both one day affairs. They thought if one day was fun, a whole weekend would be even better and Mardi Gras came to Norman.

The weekends would not be possible without Sherri Rogers and her professional staff at the Norman Convention -- Visitor Bureau," Aughe said. "They were a tremendous help and all played a part in the who dun it murder mystery friday night."

There are 14 Red Hat Society groups in Norman and they were all represented. Many vendors were on the red carpet selling red and purple items.

Although the weekend originally started as a statewide event, it quickly expanded into the national scene. Over 150 Red Hatters from Westin, Mo., Houston and other Texas cities, Colorado Springs, Kansas and Arkansas attended. Oklahoma was represented by Red Hatters from Poteau to Weatherford.

The weekend also is a boon to local business and attractions throughout Norman.

"It was fantastic, fun filled weekend," said Aughe. "Ladies were shopping all over Norman from 10:30 to 1:30. We all had a wonderful time doing that. It was food, fun and shopping all weekend long."

"This is already a fantastic piece of business for Norman," said Marketing Director Jana Ivy of the Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau. "We hope that everyone will help roll out the red carpet for our Red Hatters and show them why this will continue to grow and become the most sought after invite for Red Hatters each year."

Plans already are under way for next year.