What’s red and purple, sports feather plumage and ‘bling’, and has a distinct call that can bring smiles and laughter to all who hear it?

It’s those birds “of a certain age” that seem to be showing up everywhere, particularly in flocks … the Red Hat ladies. These ladies are a testament to the fact that you can have fun after age 50. As envisioned by its founder, Sue Ellen Cooper, the Red Hat Society is a “global society of women approaching the age of 50 or beyond that connects and supports women in their pursuit of Fun, Friendship, Freedom and Fulfillment.”

Their only requirement is to wear a red hat and purple attire for ages 50 and older, or a pink hat and lavender attire for ages under 50 … and to enjoy life.

And that “distinct call?” It’s their kazoos, said to be their official musical instrument. And Portland and the Old Port will be awash in this sea of red and purple, and pink and lavender (with an occasional floating boa feather), when Red Hatters converge on the Holiday Inn by the Bay in August for a weekend of friendship and frivolity.

Calling it a “Hoot” instead of a convention, it promises to be the largest Red Hat event ever held in Maine, drawing Red Hatters from throughout the state, its New England neighbors and from as far away as Canada, Florida and Kansas.

The Old Port is sure to be extra lively during this first Maine Red Hat Hoot, to be held Aug. 26-28. For more information and registration, call Cheryl Dunham at 207-671-1373; email [email protected], or visit the Facebook page “Maine’s Red Hat Hoot”.