Donning their feathers and rhinestones, shades of scarlet and violet, Red Hatters seem to love road trips.

Last week, 90 women representing 10 chapters from as far away as Edmonton and Saskatoon gathered at Milleton Hall north of Maidstone to enjoy the Spring Fling in the Country.

Maidstone’s Royal Eccentric Dynamic Hatters hosted the event, which included shopping, lunch and entertainment. Vendors offered hats, accessories and jewelry and the Queen’s Closet offered garage sale bargains on gently used red and purple regalia from the collections of the local group.

There were door prizes and draws and a special souvenir to take home. Crocheted red hat toilet paper covers decorated the table in front of each place setting. They were made by RED Hatter Gloria Fehr’s mother Marj Newsted, Newsted turned 94 the day before the event. She crocheted 100 of the hats for the spring fling and was delighted to don one of her daughter’s purple hats to celebrate her birthday in style with the group.

Lunch was prepared by the Milleton Hall ladies and was enjoyed at tables set with flower bouquets in purple and red shoes while balloons and model records hung in the air.

There was time to visit and share upcoming events and after lunch the entertainment took to the stage. Marg Uhlig of Turtleford brought her guitar and shared some classic songs. Recording artist Jodi Faith sang country and gospel songs and shared her story.

The local Red Hatters took their turn getting laughs with their airplane skit. As the sun shone outside inside the smiles shone brighter than the bling as they celebrated spring.