Dozens of people braved the cold and wet weather on Saturday to help try and eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health.
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The annual Mad Hatters Party once again took over part of Memorial Peace Park, providing people with a place to come and enjoy some tea and scones while also making their weirdest and most interesting hat possible.
Organizer Catherine Larnon-Trout explained that the downpour was just one of many things that plagued this year’s event, with virtually all of their supplies being put in jeopardy in the weeks leading up to the party.
“Basically anything that could go wrong did go wrong,” said Larnon-Trout.
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Despite the unfortunate weather leading to a much smaller crowd that she was used to hosting, Larnon-Trout said it only made her more grateful to those who showed up.
“There are always people who will come out here, regardless of the weather,” she said.
And those who stopped by were able to snag the newest addition to the Mad Hatters Party, which were tea party boxes that contained everything needed to take a fun little tea party on the go.
“We decided to package up our tea party and send it home with you in a box,” said Larnon-Trout.
These packages will help the Mad Hatters Foundation raise money to pay for future events and support other mental health groups, she explained.