THE PROMENADE Gardens was ablaze with colour yesterday as the Inner Wheel Club of Georgetown held its 23rd Annual Easter Hat Show and Garden Party, which was attended by hundreds of patrons. Young and old, male and female alike converged at the Middle Street location to enjoy the Easter activity, which formed part of the Club’s annual fundraising event.
A perfectly breezy day added to the enjoyment of the occasion, as smiling faces were evident all around, as the competition got under way.
Amidst an endless array of hats decorated with fluffy rabbits and  colourful flowers, patrons mingled with friends and family members, all the while being entertained by the soothing sounds of the Police Steel  Orchestra .
In addition to the captivating hat competition, guests were also welcomed to be a part of a garden party and to peruse the many stalls scattered around the grounds.
President of the Inner Wheel Club of Georgetown, Barbra Waldron, said an additional category was added this year in recognition of the Year of People of African Descent.
She said, “We have an additional category of African headdress along with our usual categories of Elegant, Topical, and Original in both the children’s and the adult category.”
As to the success of this year’s show, she noted that the event has turned out to be a national one, which many look forward to annually.
“It is one of the biggest turnouts… I must admit it is always well attended, and the judges this year include local fashion designer Sonia Noel [and] Negla Brandis. We also have Mrs. Yvonne Hinds in our presence here today,” Waldron proudly announced, adding that the activity started more than 20 years ago and has evolved from an Easter Hat Parade to the now popular Easter Hat Show and Garden Party.
Meanwhile, as the competition continued to unfold, several patrons took time out to explain just how much they were enjoying the event.
As the flurry of activities swirled around her, 89-year-old Cicely Harding sat quietly, hat perched on her head, awaiting her turn on stage.
“I have been coming here since the beginning, and I compete every year in the competition. I always enjoy myself, and it seems to be getting bigger and bigger every year,” she joyfully related.
The lone male competitor, Ramkumar Jewanram, was spotted wearing his hat depicting the ‘Mangrove Forest’ of Guyana, ready to take part in the Topical Category.
As to the significance of his display, he noted that it was in recognition of the importance of mangrove restoration and protection in our fight against global warming.
Despite the mixture of hat themes ranging from, ‘Bunny in a Kite Frame’ to ‘Chocolate Treat’, the underlying aim of the occasion was achieved as the smiling faces gave testimony to the enjoyment of the Annual Easter Hat Show and Garden Party.