Join us on Friday, May 3, 2024, to celebrate the 23rd annual Les Chapeaux dans le Jardin, fondly known as Hat Day! Under the leadership of our 2024 Hat Day Chair, Debra Hadley, this annual spring soiree promises an elegant afternoon celebrating the art of nature, while raising critical funds to support the Conservatory’s educational mission.
The annual Hat Day luncheon is one of Columbus’ premier social traditions of the year, and the Conservatory’s signature spring fundraising event. More than 550 guests gather under a grand marquee in the beautiful gardens, adorned in their chapeaux, to enjoy an afternoon of fun, fellowship and philanthropy.
We will also celebrate the remarkable contributions of Bill Gerhardt as our 2024 Ann Isaly Wolfe Award honoree.
Thanks to strong community support, Hat Day is sold out, but we are accepting waitlist requests. To add your name to our waitlist, please email Jessica Fagan at [email protected] with your requested number of seats. We will contact you if seats become available!
Proceeds from Hat Day benefit the Conservatory’s youth education and outreach programs, which annually serve thousands of children of all ages and backgrounds. These initiatives build lifelong connections to the natural world with opportunities for learning, discovery, and hands-on exploration.
Your Hat Day generosity supports programs like these:
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FPC STEM Classroom brings Conservatory educators to Columbus City Schools’ summer enrichment program, delivering standards-based, interactive lessons to keep students on track with learning year-round.
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The Head Start Discovery Program serves 500 3-5 year-olds in 9 Head Start locations across Columbus, engaging young learners with age-appropriate STEM lessons, planting the seeds for a love of learning.
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Daily drop-in programs and activities in the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden engage families with hands-on experiences in science and nature, promoting active learning for all ages.
