A ‘tip of the hat’ to guests who didn’t allow rain to dampen the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy hat luncheon

Under drizzle at times on a dreary Saturday afternoon in the heart of Schenley Park, guests brightened the day with the finest colorful and bold headwear. It was the 26th annual PNC Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Spring Hat Luncheon.

A little precipitation didn’t deter this crowd. Members of this group were wearing hats and were also protected under a tent. There were fascinators to classic wide-brimmed hats and everything in between.

Women wore dresses with matching hats and shoes in bright and bold hues. Men dressed in plaid and festive blazers with fedoras and sharp footwear.

Youngsters attended in their finest clothing, too.

“It’s a visual spectacle of hats and dresses and colorful beyond belief,” said new WQED president and CEO Jason Jedlinski, attending his first hat luncheon. “I expected color, but this is elevated. It has a red carpet feel.”

Well, maybe more of a green grass carpet feel.

Organizers call this annual event held in one of the city’s parks a “Pittsburgh tradition where fashion meets philanthropy in the most picturesque setting imaginable.”

Overlook Drive in Schenley Park, with the city in the distance, served as the beautiful backdrop for 600 guests who showcased their personal topper style.

Nicolle Bagnell and her daughter, Alexis, of Point Breeze wore matching dresses and hats. Nicolle Bagnell is on the board of the conservancy and said this is a way to share a tradition with her daughter. She invited other mothers and daughters to sit at her table as a way to honor her late friend, Kristi Wells, who loved the hat luncheon and was a former vice chair.

After a cocktail hour of champagne and mimosas, guests were served lunch from Big Burrito Group. The meal began with chilled corn gazpacho soup, a cheddar and chive buttermilk biscuit with sea salt butter, followed by seared tuna and salad with red leaf lettuce, dill and cilantro. There was cheesecake mousse for dessert.

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy was founded in December 1996 by a group of citizens concerned with the deteriorating conditions of Pittsburgh’s historic city parks.

The PNC Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Spring Hat Luncheon has raised nearly $12 million since its inception in 1999.

This year’s luncheon will help with an inclusive outdoor sensory classroom at the Frick Environmental Center. The conservancy partnered with the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children, along with parents, caregivers educators and therapists of these children, to help design a space for everybody.

“Hats off, literally and figuratively, to the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy to recognize that children and young people with disabilities should have access to nature,” said Dr. Heidi Ondek, superintendent and executive director for the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children. “We’ve created a partnership and are so honored to be a part of this. I am proud of Pittsburgh. I applaud the efforts of the people here today to support this effort.”

The classroom is about inclusion and equity, and what better place to do that than in our parks and to make them accessible for all, Ondek said.

“It is a pleasure to be here with you in beautiful Schenley Park,” said Catherine Qureshi, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy as she welcomed guests. “Thank for your unwavering support and for this opportunity to showcase the power of parks and the vital role that they play in our lives.”

This event is about giving back to the community, said Michael W. Mann of Bloomfield, who attended with his friend, Amber Preziosi of Mt. Lebanon. Mann is managing partner for event sponsor The Dentists at Shadyside Place and The Dentists at Mercy.

“You get to meet so many people from Pittsburgh and across the city and to raise money for our parks,” Mann said. “This is one of the best events in the city. It’s a classic.”

The event has great energy, said Dina Clark of Penn Hills, who attended with friend Geovette Washington of Oakland, one of the chairs of the event.

“It is so vibrant and so nice to see so many people out and about in the city,” Clark said.

Washington said this hat luncheon is one of the great things that Pittsburgh does to celebrate its parks and to celebrate spring.

“I get to see people I haven’t seen all winter,” Washington said. “Our parks are one of the great equalizers and a place for everyone to enjoy.”

They both agreed that it’s cool to see so many fashionable hats, which represent the diversity of the city. Every hat is as individual as the person wearing it.

Danielle Parson of Monroeville founded Professional Womens Network, commonly known as PWN, which hosts events throughout the city. Parson called it a beautiful event and a wonderful way to connect with people and network.

Celina Pompeani Mathison of “Pittsburgh Today Live” was emcee.

Allegheny County Executive Sara Inamorato said it was an afternoon of philanthropy and fashion.

“It is about more than just socializing,” she said. “It about making sure parks and green spaces in all of our neighborhoods remain open and accessible.”

Mayor Ed Gainey invited everyone to give a standing ovation to the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.

“Pittsburgh, you look beautiful and amazing,” Gainey said. “Give yourselves a round of applause. It takes all of us to make this happen. Let’s stand up for those who stand up for our parks.”

He also recognized the late Mary Schenley, who donated the land for this park. Her great-great-grandsons, Robert Harbord and Jeremy Harbord, and great-great-great-granddaughter, Georgie Harbord, traveled from the United Kingdom.

“We support the fantastic work being done by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, “ Robert said.

The city would not have this park without the generosity of Mary Schenley, Gainey said.

“When I go into a park I find some serenity,” the mayor said. “Parks are so important and our parks make us one of the greatest cities in America.”

Janis Burley, president of the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, said the event is a place to catch up with friends and make new ones.

“It is a happy time all the while celebrating the mission of Pittsburgh’s parks,” she said.

Co-chairing the event were Melanie Crockard, Danica Griffith, Diane P. Holder, Geovette Washington, and Latasha Wilson-Batch.

Chairs Emeritus Ritchie Battle and Audrey Hillman Fisher, founders of the event, were recognized.

Crockard said this is a day of joy and togetherness and fashion. She made her own fascinator.

“This is an iconic event in the city,” Crockard said. “You see so many hats which are an expression of an individual’s personality. There is nothing better than a great chapeau.”

Next year’s event is May 3, 2025.