Hats off to PNC Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Spring Hat Luncheon celebrating 25 years
The PNC Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Spring Hat Luncheon is about more than a fashionable sea of fancy and colorful head wear.
Although it does feature 600 guests showcasing their personal topper style.
Women wearing dresses with matching hats and shoes in bright and bold hues. Men in plaid and festive blazers with fedoras and sharp footwear. Youngsters dressed in their finest clothing.
“The hat luncheon is about tradition,” said Helen Hanna Casey, who has attended every one. “It’s a spirited event. It’s an opportunity for women, and men, to get dressed up. It’s about passing on the tradition of caring for Pittsburgh parks to the younger generation.”
Hanna Casey, of Shadyside, shared her passion of caring for parks with her daughter, Annie Hanna Engel, of Fox Chapel. They attended the 25th annual hat luncheon with three tables of family members and friends.
Hanna Engel said the event continues to thrive because it showcases the city’s beautiful parks. It’s also held in spring when everything is coming back to life. The parks are a lush green and people want to get outside and be with each other, she said.
“Parks are a place for everyone to enjoy being outside,” said Hanna Engel, who grew up in the city and was wearing a stylish green dress and striking green hat with pink and blue adornments. “There is so much energy this time of year as the weather gets warmer and everything is blooming. Parks are the fabric of this city.”
The event has raised more than $11 million total and nearly $600,000 from the event Saturday at Frick Park.
It raised $100,000 in the first year.
The luncheon was held in Frick Park because that was the site of the inaugural hat luncheon.
Proceeds benefit everything from the day-to-day care of garden spaces to environmental education at the Frick Environmental Center and restoration work in regional and neighborhood parks, as well as other park improvement projects.
This year’s money will go to creating an outdoor sensory classroom — the first of its kind in Pittsburgh, according to Catherine Qureshi, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. She said the generosity of those who attend, as well as the sponsors and staff, is why the event remains vibrant. It continues to make a lasting impression on the city’s parks, she said.
Laura Miller lives in Point Breeze near Frick Park. She attended with Liz Mavero of Pine, who praised “the gorgeous setting” of the event and the people-watching aspect of the luncheon.
The sold-out crowd of 600 watched a video with photos from past hat luncheons and comments from previous organizers and attendees, including Meg Cheever, founding president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.
“What an amazing success,” Cheever said in the video. “Who would have thought this would last 25 years?”
Celina Pompeani Mathison, a “Pittsburgh Today Live” lifestyles reporter, was emcee. The event honored Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, who is in his third and final term of office, by planting a tree in Frick Park in his honor.
Fitzgerald said he’s attended most of the hat luncheons.
“People ask me which park is my favorite, and I tell them, that’s like asking who is my favorite child,” Fitzgerald said. “They are all my favorite. I have memories of all these parks. Green spaces and trails make this region someplace special.”
City parks play a vibrant role in the region, said Jake Pawlak, Pittsburgh deputy mayor.
“They are places of refuge, especially during the pandemic,” Pawlak said. “They provide quiet areas. It’s important to invest in parks.”
Catherine Loevner of Squirrel Hill has been to all 25 hat luncheons. She said it’s a beautiful way to support the city’s parks.
“Pittsburgh’s parks are chic and magnificent,” Loevner said. “And what a perfectly beautiful day we had to have lunch in the park.”
It was sunny with temperatures in the 70s.
Common Plea Catering served a meal of lobster panzanella, pepita crusted chicken, lemony kale salad and cornbread with honey pipette and salted butter. Raspberry and almond cake and strawberry panna cotta were served for dessert. The magnificent floral arrangements and vibrant centerpieces were designed by Fox and the Fleur in Aspinwall.
Co-chairing the event were Latasha Wilson-Batch, Diane P. Holder, Sloan Overstrom, Vivian Benter and Melanie Crockard.
“We are extremely grateful for the vision of founders Ritchie Battle and Audrey Hillman Fisher,” said Crockard. “Their dedication to caring for and nurturing our parks for the community continues.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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