Red Hat Society to paint Illinois State Fair in sea of red and purple         

[JULY 23, 2005]  SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois State Fair Manager Amy Bliefnick is inviting the ladies of the Red Hat Society to brighten up the state fairgrounds on Senior Day, Aug. 15. The Red Hats are a social club of women, 50 years of age and older, who dress in red and purple from head to toe, along with their signature red hats.

"The ladies of the Red Hat Society are all about having a good time while celebrating their age," Bliefnick said. "This August, we're throwing a party for a million friends, and I just don't think it would be a proper party without the Red Hats."

Among the daily activities scheduled for Senior Day at the fair, Bliefnick will host a Red Hat luncheon on the director's lawn from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. All members are welcome to the luncheon, which will feature great food at great prices.

Also in celebration of Senior Day at the fair, all seniors 60 and over will get into the fair free. Gates open at 9 a.m. as does the Senior Center in the Illinois Building. The Illinois State Fair features 16 free entertainment stages, over 300 food vendors, a daily parade at 4 p.m. and harness racing at 4:30 p.m. Seniors are also invited to dance in the Twilight Ballroom to the music of Duke Babb, central Illinois' hottest ballroom DJ.

Red Hat chapters planning to attend the fair can contact Pati Kohlbecker at the state fair office for more information at [phone].

The Illinois State Fair is Aug. 12-21.

[Illinois State Fair news release]