Join us on Friday, May 2, 2025 to celebrate the 24th annual Les Chapeaux dans le Jardin, fondly known as Hat Day! Under the leadership of our 2025 Hat Day Chairs, Erin Shannon, Maryann Kelley, and Meg Kelley, 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 Tom Katzenmeyer as our 2025 Ann Isaly Wolfe Award honoree.
Seats for Hat Day 2025 are currently SOLD OUT. To be added to our waitlist, please contact Naomi Merino at [email protected] or 614.715.8041.
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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Pre-K and K-12 School Groups visit through on-site school programs, which give children opportunities to experience the excitement of applied nature-based learning that builds foundational knowledge of science and the arts.
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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.
Tom Katzenmeyer, 2025 Ann Isaly Wolfe Award Winner
We are delighted to honor Tom with this year’s Ann Isaly Wolfe Award for his dedication to Franklin Park Conservatory. This annual award recognizes an individual for enduring service, leadership and support that have enabled the Conservatory to take its place among the leading cultural institutions in Columbus. Please join us in congratulating Tom on his extraordinary contributions!
To make a tribute gift in honor of Tom’s service to the Conservatory and our community, click Here.
