Highwood's 2nd Annual Redhead Days Chicago Affiliate Declared A Success (despite Saturday's downpour)
HIGHWOOD, IL (JUNE 4-5, 2016) - Redheads from across the country brought out their "50 Shades of Red" and gathered together on June 4th and 5th for the 2nd annual Redhead Days Chicago Affiliate for a weekend to remember. Redhead Days, a festival originating in Breda, Holland seeks to unite the global redheaded community through their three core values of bonding, pride and recognition and was once again a huge success in its Chicago affiliate event, with over 3,000 people in attendance for the weekend.
Jim Stoecker, owner of Highwood's Alex's Washington Gardens, honorary Redhead, and event organizer joined the Ginger Jubilee, along with Ronald McDonald, America's most famous redhead, on Sunday, June 5th for the photo attempt to break the world record for most redheads gathered in one location. "While we did not quite break the record, we had a great time trying!" says Stoecker.
The official group photo had over 1,000 Redheads pictured. The photo portrays the massive crowd of redheads in attendance from around the world, including Canada, Germany, Japan, Norway, and Italy, and 20 different states as far away as Hawaii, Washington, New York, and California. The current record for most redheads in a photo is 1,672, so Highwood is well positioned for a third attempt to break the record on 2017.
Another event highlight from the weekend was the Carrot Cake Throwdown in which a panel of 'celebrity' judges that included Ellen of The Ginger Philes on Chicago Now, Julie Kemp Pick of JWC Media's Daily North Shore, Tina Johansson of The YOU Journal, and Joe Vince of Highland Park Patch tasted 11 carrot cake entries from across the Chicago area. Judges rated the carrot creations on appearance, taste, texture and frosting.
And the winners are…
In third place overall was Nothing Bundt Cakes, from Skokie. In second place with their famous carrot cake cupcakes was Real Urban Barbeque, with locations in Highland Park and Vernon Hills. And the first place overall winner went to Bent Fork Bakery, from Highwood! The highest score in appearance went to amateur Highland Park bakers Shari and Stephanie, highest score in taste went to Nothing Bundt Cake, and best frosting and texture went to Bent Fork Bakery.
Other contestants that competed this year included A La Carte, Alex's Washington Gardens, Baker Boys, Barrel Crossing, Foodstuffs Catering, Foodstuffs Gourmet, Sunset Foods, and amateur Highland Park bakers Shari and Stephanie.
"Everyone enjoyed this gathering of Redheads combined with quirky events and contests, live music and family fun. Being such a small percentage of the population, it is sometimes difficult growing up with red hair but it is nice to know that you are not alone. Everyone onsite embraced their beauty and reveled among their own," says Stoecker.
To stay up to date with the latest news on Redhead Days in Highwood, please LIKE www.facebook.com/RHDchicago or view Redhead Days official website at http://www.redheaddays.nl.
ABOUT REDHEAD DAYS
Redhead Days is a festival started in 2005 in Breda, Holland and takes place in the beginning of September. It has participants from over 50 countries and 6 continents, including the United States, Africa, South America, Europe, Australia and Asia. It has gained such national notoriety that it includes affiliates now in London and Chicago. The fest has made news in BBC Magazine, and various other publications.