HIGHWOOD'S FIRST REDHEAD DAYS AFFILIATE IN UNITED STATES DECLARED A MAJOR SUCCESS

They brought the redheaded heat! Redheads from across the country gathered together on June 6th and 7th for the 1st annual Redhead Days Chicago Affiliate, and it was a weekend to remember. Redhead Days is a festival originating in Breda, Holland that seeks to unite the global redheaded community through their three core values of bonding, pride and recognition. The event was a huge success with over 2,500 people in attendance for the weekend.

Jim Stoecker, owner of Alex’s Washington Gardens, honorary Redhead and event organizer gathered as many Redheads as possible on Sunday, June 7 for a large group photo, an attempt to break the world record for most redheads in a photo set at the original Redhead Days in Breda, Holland. “While we did not quite break the record, we had a great time trying, especially for a first run at it,” says Stoecker, who is looking forward to next years fest.

While morning rain may have been a deterrent, the official group photo had over 750 Redheads pictured. The overhead photo portrays the massive crowd of redheads in attendance from around the country, including Baton Rouge, LA, Albuquerque, NM and Mesa, AZ. The current record for most redheads in a photo is 1672, so Highwood is well positioned for a second attempt to break the record on 2016.

One of the most exciting parts of the festival happened on Saturday, with the Carrot Cake Throwdown. A panel of independent judges tasted twelve carrot cake entries from across the Chicago area. Top bakeries put their heart and soul into creating delicious carrot cakes and cupcakes, specifically for Redhead Days Chicago Affiliate. Judges scored the cakes on appearance, taste, texture and frosting.

The bakeries that competed this year included Nothing Bundt Cakes, Whole Foods Market, Real Urban Barbeque, Baker Boys Bakery, A La Carte, Sunset Foods, Taste on Chestnut, Alex’s Washington Gardens, Jolly Good Fellows, Leonard’s Bakery, and Heinen’s. It was a very tight race! In third place overall was A La Carte from Highland Park. In second place was Baker Boys, also from Highland Park, with their famous carrot cake cupcakes. The first place overall winner went to Nothing Bundt Cakes from Skokie.

The highest score in appearance went to Taste on Chestnut, highest score in texture and taste went to Baker Boys, and best frosting went to Nothing Bundt Cakes.

“Everyone enjoyed this gathering of Redheads. Being a minority, it is sometimes difficult growing up with red hair but it is nice to know that you are not alone. While we didn’t break the record for most Redheads pictured in a single photo this year, we have high hopes for next year,” says Stoecker.

To stay up to date with the latest news on Redhead Days in Highwood, please LIKE www.facebook.com/RHDchicago or view Redhead Days official website at http://www.redheaddays.nl.