The 30th Annual Forest Park Forever Hat Luncheon Raises $350,000 to Support Forest Park

September 28, 2021 Guest User

Event was co-chaired by Marsha Mitchell and Suzanne Sitherwood

Forest Park Forever was thrilled to welcome supporters in-person and from afar to the 30th annual Hat Luncheon on Thursday, September 23. This event is the single largest annual fundraiser for Forest Park, supporting the vital work this nonprofit conservancy does to restore, maintain and sustain the Park alongside the City of St. Louis.

Whether they chose a picnic-at-your-pleasure experience to be enjoyed at Pagoda Circle or elsewhere or a seated experience at the World's Fair Pavilion, guests donned creative and stylish hats once again for the reimagined experience in Forest Park, all while supporting Forest Park. Between ticket sales, sponsorships, donations and a virtual silent auction, the event raised over $350,000 to support critical maintenance of Forest Park. 

This year’s reimagined hat luncheon, now in its 30th year, was presented by The Women’s Committee of Forest Park Forever and co-chairs Marsha Mitchell, Executive Director of Allegiance Home Healthcare, LLC., and Suzanne Sitherwood, President and Chief Executive Officer of Spire.  

The program was presented to people virtually in a video emceed by KMOX News Carol Daniel. Guests at the World's Fair Pavilion and Pagoda Circle participated in a special toast with Forest Park Forever Board Chair Sue McCollum, City of St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones, Co-Chair Marsha Mitchell, Co-Chair Suzanne Sitherwood and Forest Park Forever President and Executive Director Lesley Hoffarth.

The luncheon also included its crowd-pleasing Hat Contest, except this year it was virtual. Winners were announced and listed on the online program:

Romantic: Rhonda Cross

Whimsical: Trisha Hull
Group: Spire
Forest Park Inspired: Washington University

“We were happy to be back in-person for one of the great philanthropic traditions in the St. Louis Community, the Forest Park Forever Hat Luncheon” said Lesley S. Hoffarth, President and Executive Director of the nonprofit conservancy. “Thanks to everyone who came together, near and far, to make this reimagined experience a success. Because of the generosity of the co-chairs, Women’s Committee members, sponsors and fashionable attendees, Forest Park Forever raised significant dollars to help Forest Park continue to be a safe, welcoming destination that is free and open to all, offering health, hope and happiness to millions.”

 A Special Thanks to the 2021 Hat Luncheon Sponsors