Less people were willing to brave the weather this year for the Mad Hatters Parade and Tea Party in Memorial Peace Park in Maple Ridge.
But that didn't make the eighth annual event less joyous.
"Yes this year was a wash out in terms of weather but there are always shiny happy, people with their fabulous creations and others making their hats at our tables on site," said organizer Catherine Larnon-Trout, who founded the event in 2017 to raise awareness and support for those suffering from mental illness.
People still turned out to make colourful and artistic hat creations, even though, this year, the hat parade was cancelled.
Instead everyone was invited onto the bandstand to learn a signature song written for the The Mad Hatters Foundation by Lisa Rae Simons.
There is a line in the song asking who can change the face of mental illness, to which the crowd responded, "I can, you can", and a very loud, "We can," described Larnon-Trout.
"It was very moving and some of those who stayed till the end said they have been coming every year and look forward to how it evolves as we grow," she added about the festival.
Tea was served in china cups and scones, donated by Hansel and Gretel Bakery, were still available, including butter, jam, and cream.
The Mad Hatters Foundation is a not-for-profit organization run by volunteers, with every dollar raised going directly to the parade and tea party which is completely free.
Larnon-Trout will be creating an impact organization called Mad Hatters for Mental Health which will have a focus on raising money for respite care for those who have a loved one with a mental illness.
"To that end we will be working closely with the company Just Like Families who can and do provide such care," she explained.
For more information go to: https://www.facebook.com/madhattersfoundation or email: madhatters4mentalhealth@ gmail.com.
