Obviously COVID-19 stopped us in our tracks from our traditional Easter Promenade. But as this article, submitted to The Post and Courier shows, The Hat Ladies don't know the meaning of "can't." Where there's a hat, there's a way:
Pulling an Easter Parade out of their Hats
Neither rain nor sleet nor hail nor COVID-19 stopped The Hat Ladies of Charleston from holding their 19th annual Easter Promenade. It wasn’t in April; it was on Tuesday, July 28th.
The Ladies and Gents did not stroll their usual route down Broad Street wishing the crowds a “HaTpy Easter!”
Instead they watched a private showing of The Easter Parade from their socially distanced seats at The Terrace Theater. When Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Peter Lawford, and Ann Miller began their stroll down 5th Avenue, they rose from their seats. Dressed in their finest hats and masks, they kept their distance, sashayed down the aisles, smiled at each other, waved at the movie screen, and exchanged Holiday greetings to one and all.
As former Fashion Editor Judy Watts once wrote, “The Hat Ladies are a stylish brigade of volunteers who are making a difference.” They still deserve that accolade as they continue to serve however, whenever, and wherever possible. In so doing, they set an example for everyone: No matter how bad things seem, never hang up your hat. www.hatladies.org.
Left to Right:
Jackie Lear, John Burkel, Deana and Bobby Dockery, Top Hat Archie Burkel, Elinor O'Donnell
As always, our Promenade gathers at Washington Park. We stroll down Broad from Meeting to East Bay, make a U-Turn, and return to the Park. Begins at 11:00 sharp
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Since pictures will always be worth 1,000 words, we have captured the "splendor" of the participants more than the "action" of The Promenade itself.
Begin by clicking on the website of our Professional Photographer, Kimberly Morgan Gregory,, www.kimmorgangregory.com/FESTIVALSEVENTSWEDDINGS/EVENTS/HAT-LADIES-CHARLESTON-SC/HAT-LADIES-2019/
NEXT: Click on the icons below to see those taken by The Hat Ladies Photographer Staff and read The Acknowledgements and Reflections
FINALLY: Imagine the sea of color as Ladies, gents, children, and pets sashay down Broad Street from The Four Corner of Law to The Old Exchange Building and back, reflecting the grace, elegant, and tradition of our Holy City.
BETTER YET: Come to Charleston the Saturday of Easter Weekend, April 11, 2020, and see for yourself.
Promenading
