Red Hat Society will hold regional convention here

The city just might survive the fun -- if not the clash of colors, bling, feathers and fur.

The Red Hat Society will hold a "Funvention," in Mountain Home this weekend, drawing hundreds of women from throughout the Pacific Northwest for three days of activities here.

"We're going to turn this town upside down," said Mary Amos, a member of the society. She said at least 160 society members from approximately 20 chapters in the region are expected to attend.

The Red Hat Society describes itself as a social "dis-organization" that celebrates "silliness, frivolity and life after 50." Members proudly claim they have almost no rules or bylaws, except when it comes to their wardrobe -- purple dresses and red hats -- "the gaudier the better," society members say.

"The ladies make fun their first priority," a statement of the society says, "but they are also on a mission, to reshape the way older women are seen, and see themselves in today's society. We believe silliness is the comedy relief of life, and since we are all in it together we might as well join red-gloved hands and go for the gusto together."

The local "funvention" is being directed by the Royal Order of Purple Gems, one of the three Red Hat Society chapters in Mountain Home, with help from the Little Red Hens chapter in Grand View.

Events begin Friday evening when members arriving at the Hampton Inn to register.

Saturday, breakfast and opening ceremonies will be held at the American Legion Hall beginning at 8 a.m. Mayor Tom Rist, former Mayor Joe B. McNeal, and 366th Wing Commander Col. John D. Bird II.

After that, the women will be turned loose on the town, to explore the community or attend a series of Red Hat events scheduled for the day. Volunteers from the 366th Wing will provide transportation around town. The vehicles, provided by local businesses, will be marked with Red Hat flags. A scavenger hunt will be held throughout the day.

Beginning at 9:30 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. a Bunco tournament will be held at the Senior Citizen Center. A Red Hat photo scrapbooking session will be held at the center at 10 a.m. Also planned at the center at that time is a card-making class. At 2 p.m. the center also will show the film "Nights in Rodanthe."

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. members of the society will have the opportunity to take part in a tour and wine tasting at Carmella Winery in Glenns Ferry, followed by a buffet lunch.

By 5 p.m. the Red Hatters will be returning to the American Legion Hall for a social hours, followed by a dinner at 6 p.m. The dinner will feature a silent auction, raffle prize drawings, and winners of the scavenger hunt and Bunco tournament announced. Following dinner the band "A Taste of Country" will provide entertainment.

The "funvention" concludes on Sunday with an 8 a.m. breakfast at the American Legion Hall featuring guest speaker Margo Vaughn from K-HITS FM 107.1.