Mrs. Teabody Hosts a Hat Competition

Good Morning, Gentle Reader. Morning skies promise another beautiful June day, and the village has been all abuzz over the events included in the annual Fulton County Strawberry Festival sponsored by the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce. The week's activities lit a fire beneath Mrs. Teabody at Tickle Your Fancy and saw the shop hosting guests for several exciting events culminating in the jewel in the crown, the First Annual Strawberry Festival Hat Contest. With the promise of prizes and banners, an array of fine candidates assembled to be judged in the most benign fashion by Lady Metz and the Viscountess Eddy  shown here.


The first title awarded was in the category  Kentucky Derby and Donna House carried the category beautifully. She is seen in a tea-length beige afternoon suit complemented by a pale yellow vintage floral hat.

The next category, Floral Fantasy, saw top honors going to Cindy Glessner in a flowing coral dress with sheer floral jacket and an enchanting lace and flower bedecked hat.

The next category, Mad Hatter, was captured by Joy Dasher who won the judges' hearts with her divinely detailed ensemble. Having overslept, her arriving comment to the crowd was appropriately enough, "I'm late." Dasher's ensemble was replete with "Alice in Wonderland" objects.


The fourth and final category for ladies was Vintage ( before 1965) and Christy Willingham brought the Roaring Twenties to its bees' knees with her captivating ensemble and personality.
There was but one men's category and the only instructions were "No caps! No camo!" so imagine the judges' surprise when a(n) Hawaiian Zombie Cowboy embodied by Ashton Doyle shook up the scene. Scream if you like, Gentle Reader.
Understandably, the judges had a very difficult time as so many beautiful and fanciful creations came into play. Each contestant was given a special hat-wearing strawberry button  designed by Eddy's Engraving to commemorate their participation. This  extraordinary floral hat received honorable mention.
Contestants enjoyed a fine array of finger foods and excellent teas while awaiting their fates. Mrs. Teabody would have loved to award prizes to everyone, but every once in a while, one must choose only one winner, and everyone certainly merited their titles and prizes.

Gentle Reader, perhaps next year will be your year to put your creative genius to work and join the Second Annual Strawberry Festival Hat Contest. Do consider it.

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