It's all about the hat ads at Elgin's Gail Bordern Public Library
On April 12, the Elgin Junior Service Board walked their "hat ads" in a sort of hat parade from The Centre of Elgin to Gail Borden Public Library with the assistance of EJSB members, the Chicago Slaughter Dance Team and Bearon, the Schaumburg Flyers mascot. The parade was followed by a "hat ad" fashion show at the library.
Visit the library until Tuesday, April 20, to see 14 hats on display and enter your ballot for your "favorite hat ad" and be entered into a random prize drawing for Chicago Slaughter football or Schaumburg Flyer baseball tickets. Prizes will be drawn April 20.
A hat ad is a traditional form of advertising created by the Elgin Junior Service Board to advertise local businesses at their biennial Follies production. JSB has been designing and wearing hat ads at Follies since the 1960s.
Once local businesses choose to purchase a hat ad, JSB members immediately get to work on designing a hat that will best fit that particular business. Once the hat ad is designed, a committee is formed and construction begins.
A hat ad is a unique way to show off a business. Hats have traditionally been worn before the show at the champagne reception and shown during the show on stage between acts.
Elgin Junior Service Board's 28th production of Follies 2010 "Sports!" will premiere at the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin at 8 p.m. Friday, April 23, and Saturday, April 24. Join the cast and "Howard Cole-slaw" as he takes you on a journey through the world's favorite pastimes with a little help from musical numbers about sports that permeate our American culture.
Follies productions are produced every other year and is JSB's only fundraiser. Proceeds from the show help support underserved women and children in the Elgin and surrounding communities through several JSB service projects, such as Elgin Community College Scholarship Fund; Wish Upon a Wardrobe, a prom dress event; and JSB's Clothing Center for the underserved population in the area.
Tickets are on sale now at the Hemmens Cultural Center at (847) 931-5900. Main floor seating is still available. You can also upgrade your ticket to receive premium seating in addition to the champagne reception before the show at 7 p.m., where you can meet, mix and mingle with the Hat Ad girls. Student and group discounts are available, too. They also offer a chance to win one of four cash prizes during the raffle at the champagne reception.
This year's Follies is sponsored by the City of Elgin, EFS Foundation, Hoffer Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, Minuteman Press, First Community Bank and the Grand Victoria Foundation.