Join us on Friday, May 2, 2025 to celebrate the 24th annual Les Chapeaux dans le Jardin, fondly known as Hat Day! Under the leadership of our 2025 Hat Day Chairs, Erin Shannon, Maryann Kelley, and Meg Kelley, this annual spring soiree promises an elegant afternoon celebrating the art of nature, while raising critical funds to support the Conservatory’s educational mission.
The annual Hat Day luncheon is one of Columbus’ premier social traditions of the year, and the Conservatory’s signature spring fundraising event. More than 550 guests gather under a grand marquee in the beautiful gardens, adorned in their chapeaux, to enjoy an afternoon of fun, fellowship and philanthropy.
Sponsorships for Hat Day 2025 are available, and are the best way to secure a table at this popular event! For details or to secure a table, contact Naomi Merino at [email protected] or 614-715-8041.
Proceeds from Hat Day benefit the Conservatory’s youth education and outreach programs, which annually serve thousands of children of all ages and backgrounds. These initiatives build lifelong connections to the natural world with opportunities for learning, discovery, and hands-on exploration.
Your Hat Day generosity supports programs like these:
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Pre-K and K-12 School Groups visit through on-site school programs, which give children opportunities to experience the excitement of applied nature-based learning that builds foundational knowledge of science and the arts.
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The Head Start Discovery Program serves 500 3-5 year-olds in 9 Head Start locations across Columbus, engaging young learners with age-appropriate STEM lessons, planting the seeds for a love of learning.
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Daily drop-in programs and activities in the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden engage families with hands-on experiences in science and nature, promoting active learning for all ages.
