– pioneer of Linden’s Easter Hat Show

THERE is one event that Lindeners look forward to during the Easter and it is the Elegance Fashion Easter Hat Show. For the past six years, this is the only event held in the mining town of Linden that really encapsulates the spirit of Easter and gives the little girls and women the spruce to dress up in their flowery Easter outfits and dash out those elegant and creative Easter hats.

It is the talk of the town and this year it will be fittingly held on Easter Sunday at Major’s Reception Hall in Amelia’s Ward, Linden. This year, it will be an all-white affair and the show will be nothing short of glitter and glamour.
Six years ago, Francine Major fondly called “Aunty Francine” in the Linden community, sat and decided that an Easter hat show is something unique and new to Linden and with much collaboration, the idea materialised.

“One day I was there just thinking what can I do to occupy my time and I just sat there and decided that I can do a hat show and I came with the idea on how to work with the children and the adults on getting the hats designed; then I got a few parents and put it to them and they accepted the idea and got the children involved and that is how it all started,” Major reminisced.

Now deemed a signature Easter event in Linden, the hat show has attracted many persons and now local designers are involved, since the show also gives them an opportunity to market themselves, their businesses and their talent.

Colourful, extravagantly designed hats showcasing Easter culture such as bunnies, flowers and eggs are modelled by children ranging from ages three to 50-year-old adults.
The hats are judged and attractive prizes are up for grabs. In addition, guests are also treated to a cultural extravaganza of dances, songs and dramatic poetry, all showcasing the talent of Linden.

“The hats are judged by creativity, colour and materials that are used to make the hats, whether it is natural materials,” Major explained. While the event is well supported by Lindeners, she has hopes that the show will be done nationally and is hoping that participants of hat shows in Georgetown will support the event.
“We go to Georgetown when they have theirs, so we are encouraging persons to come to Linden,” she said.

Easter is a Christian holiday celebrated worldwide and the Easter hat shows started in the 1800s following the custom of Easter bonnets being worn to Easter parades in the USA and the United Kingdom.