Best way to welcome spring? Hats!

Sheena McCall, left, and Sara Fortune Rose in their fabulous pink hats.

Nothing says springtime like a new hat!

The folks at the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum have recognized that fact and, for the fifth year in a row, have celebrated the fortunate match with a fundraiser featuring hats by beloved milliner, Patricia Frankum.

Called “Hats in Bloom,” the luncheon delights a couple of hundred ladies and gives a reward to those who pay a little extra by letting them in early to get first dibs on hundreds of fashionable and fabulous one-of-a-kind creations by Frankum. Many wear hats purchased in previous years to shop for this year’s treasure.

From Vincennes, Indiana, Frankum waited until after her family was raised to follow her passion of making hats. She learned from other milliners and started out by making custom hats for herself and her friends. Her marketing truly was word of mouth at the beginning. Now, she’s the subject of blogs and news articles.

Check out this year’s “Hats in Bloom.” And plan to join us next year!

From left, Mimi and Mollie Turner, Linda Haynes and Sandy Lucas.

Mickey Mallonee, left, and Margie Nichols Gill.

Here’s milliner Patricia Frankum, the star of the show. (Photo by Shaun Fulco)

From left, Betty Griggs, Shirley Estes, Jackie Wilson and Susan Fairbank.

Susan Farris, left, and daughter, Caroline.

Sylvia Peters, left, and Leonia Johnson.

Wanda Moody, left, and Martha McClellan.

Cheese straws helped us keep up the shopping energy. Caterer was Rex Bradford Jones.

And cream puffs filled with cream cheese and olives were helpful, too.

There truly was a hat for every head!

Even the centerpieces had hats you could buy!

Jacque Hawks, left, with Shaun Fulco and Savanna Howie, both of Moxley Carmichael. We always buy a table at this event — and are the only PR firm, ad agency or web design firm to do so.

Here are some of the Moxley Carmichael folks heading to the event. Thanks to the parking attendant at State Street Parking Garage for snapping this pic of the ladies in Shaun Fulco’s new Camaro. In front, Jessica Ray and Shaun Fulco. In rear, Amy Barger, left, and Destinee Dowdy.

Moxley Carmichael’s Destinee Dowdy, left, and Pam Rhoades. (Photo by Shaun Fulco)

Earlier, Destinee had tried her hat on her new doggie, Bentley. Destinee adopted him from Young-Williams Animal Center, a great Moxley Carmichael client. (Photo by Destinee Dowdy)

Moxley Carmichael’s Lauren Miller, left, and Maria Cornelius. (Photo by Shaun Fulco)

Moxley Carmichael’s Savanna Howie makes a selection. (Photo by Pam Rhoades)

Moxley Carmichael’s Michelle Henry, center, with Carolyn Cowan, left, and Doris Carter. (Photo by Shaun Fulco)

Beverly Kerr made beautiful music to shop by! (Photo by Shaun Fulco)

Knox County Commissioner Evelyn Gill made her own hat!

Here’s a closeup.

Megan Stair kept the champagne flowing!

Jim Richards, executive director of the garden, with Terri Moore, center, and Audrey Moore.

Kim Lauth, left, and Gay Lyons.

Donna Downen, left, and Gail Jarvis.

Kathy Brennan. She’s a “rosarian.”

Kim Henry, left, and Jacque Hawks.

This year, fun outfits from local shops helped show off the chapeaux. Check out this stunning dress from Est8te. (Photo by Shaun Fulco)

Or this one from Obligato.

Not in the market for a hat? How about a cute little succulent?

Lunch was Salad Nicoise.

With adorable hat macaroons!

The event gets more popular every year. Outdoor seating was added this year.

Jayne Burritt, left, with Kristin Grove.

From left, Michelle Henry, Anna Ford and Katie Kline.

Christi Fightmaster left, and Angi Hammaker.

Allyn Purvis Schwartz can’t decide.

Cindy Benefield.

Theresa Stone, left, and Rose Moseley.

These are some of the “Walking Women” club: A group of ladies who live downtown and take turns walking to each others’ homes for refreshments one Tuesday a month. From left, Robin Thomas, Karen Kluge, Gay Lyons, Jennifer Holder, Judith Foltz, Kim Henry, me and Jacque Hawks.

From left, Victoria Daniel-Cape, Gail Jarvis and Melanie Fillauer. (Photo by Shaun Fulco)

Lauren Miller with her haul. (Photo by Shaun Fulco)

You can’t visit the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum without snapping a picture in this awesome chair. Doesn’t it just make you smile? From left, Amy Barger, Jessica Ray and Destinee Dowdy. (Photo by Shaun Fulco)

We’ll leave you with a snippet of some beautiful music by Beverly Kerr:

 

 

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20 Responses to Best way to welcome spring? Hats!

  1. Sheena McCall, on April 27th, 2017 at 11:12 am said:

    Our table had a ball! We bought hats ( three in my case! ), helped people choose hats and admired hats. Wonderful event!

  2. Cynthia Moxley, on April 27th, 2017 at 11:47 am said:

    Sheena: This is a perfect event for you! You look great in hats!

  3. Melinda Meador, on April 27th, 2017 at 12:19 pm said:

    So sorry to have missed it this year. It’s one of the best events in Knoxville! My best to Patricia (what will I do without a new hat for spring?!?), and my admiration to Evelyn Gill for her fabulous creation! Everyone looked marvelous. Thanks, Cynthia, for allowing me to enjoy the luncheon vicariously!

  4. Michelle Henry, on April 27th, 2017 at 12:55 pm said:

    Such a fun event, and great to see my former high school teacher Caroline Cowan! Thanks for including me, Cynthia!

  5. Joan P Ashe, on April 27th, 2017 at 1:11 pm said:

    Cynthia, Thank you so much for your attendance,support and coverage of “Hats”.
    Had no idea at the time what a trying week you had taking care of sweet Alan. Hopefully it was a alittle break. Already looking forward to our 6th one next year.

  6. Monique Anderson, on April 27th, 2017 at 1:16 pm said:

    Always fun

  7. Sara Rose, on April 27th, 2017 at 1:56 pm said:

    This was my first time at the event and I had so much fun! On top of that, I was born in the town where Patricia lives, and it turns out we know a lot of the same people!

  8. Cynthia Moxley, on April 27th, 2017 at 2:02 pm said:

    Melinda: We miss you so!

    Michelle: Thanks for joining us and for being on the MoxCar team!

    Joan: We are happy to support this wonderful cause. And this fun, fun event.

    Monique: Agree.

    Sara: What a coincidence! Glad you could come and that you enjoyed it. I always do, too.

  9. Robyn Askew, on April 27th, 2017 at 2:26 pm said:

    Just fabulous! Love to see this support and these beautiful faces!

  10. Jackie Wilson, on April 27th, 2017 at 2:46 pm said:

    Cynthia, thank you so much for your continued support of this event and your enthusiasm for it. I look forward to seeing all my favorite people at the Garden each Spring for this very fun and beautiful event.

    Melinda, we need you back in town for Hats in Bloom next year. You are missed!

  11. Commissioner Gill, on April 27th, 2017 at 3:28 pm said:

    Simply grand! The premier event of Spring! I love the theatre of Hats n Bloom…
    Congratulations on another successful luncheon.

  12. Cynthia Moxley, on April 27th, 2017 at 3:33 pm said:

    Robyn: I agree. Great hats, great fun and great cause!

    Jackie: You all did a fantastic job. Thanks for all you do for the Garden — and for Knoxville.

    Commissioner Gill: Loved your hat! So glad you had fun.

  13. Gay Lyons, on April 27th, 2017 at 3:34 pm said:

    One of my favorite events! My how we have grown from 40 of us the first year. i love seeing everyone’s hats & spring dresses and trying on Patricia’s fabulous creations. It’s the perfect way to welcome spring. Thanks to all who came & supported the Garden. Thanks to Jackie Wilson who pulls it all together every year.

  14. Georgiana Vines, on April 30th, 2017 at 7:30 am said:

    Not that I know I can buy a hat there, maybe I will go next year. Fran Scheidt invited me but with a noon Friday deadline for my column, didn’t want to chance not being there on time. With a little planning could do it.

  15. Cynthia Moxley, on April 30th, 2017 at 8:18 am said:

    Gay: It’s been great to watch the event grow. I have loved it at every stage.

    George: Unlike me, you look good in hats! You would love this event.

  16. Mimi Turner, on April 30th, 2017 at 8:56 am said:

    You captured it! Wonderful reportage & visual moments! A hatful of thanks Cynthia!

  17. Jan Bechtel, on April 30th, 2017 at 10:12 am said:

    What a great luncheon! This is a spring tradition and I love seeing the hats and sharing time with my family and friends! Nice coverage – as usual!!

  18. Cynthia Moxley, on April 30th, 2017 at 10:39 am said:

    Mimi & Jan: Thanks! I agree it is a wonderful spring tradition. So grateful to have it!

  19. Victoria Daniel-Cape, on May 20th, 2017 at 8:24 pm said:

    Wonderful event! And another great job by (Blue Streak) Cynthia!! You do a fabulous job keeping us all informed!
    Keep up the good work!
    Grateful!

  20. Pingback:Is your event ready for the spring rush? – EventCheck Knox

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