Hat’s Off In The Park… The Annual Luncheon Benefiting Hermann Park Conservancy Is Back

Hats in the Park — *The Secret Garden*, co-chairs **Lori Sarofim**, *Melissa* Holman **Juneau** and *Christine Falgout-*Gutknecht, made sure Houston’s own secret garden – the McGovern Centennial Gardens lived up to the 1911 namesake novel.

As always in our beautiful Hermann Park, the heavens cooperated and gave Doreen and the team at Hermann Park Conservancy the weather that they wished for on Thursday, March 24 for the 13th annual Hats in the Park Luncheon. This annual luncheon which has been paused since 2019 turned into a glorious day for celebrating the over 370 attendees in the McGovern Centennial Gardens that came dressed in hats of all shapes, sizes, color and design. All in anticipation of visiting with friends and partaking in the well-crafted and delish lunch provided by Swift + Company. The great news is that all of the excitement led to a record-breaking Hats in the Park, with $493,537 being raised for the care and improvement of Hermann Park.

Hats off in the Park — **Honorees Sandy Godrey and Franci Neely**

This year, Hats in the Park honored Sandy Godfrey and Franci Neely, who have been longtime Conservancy advocates and supported the luncheon every year since it began in 2008. Both have also chaired Hats in the Park in the past, and Sandy has also chaired the Conservancy’s annual gala, Evening in the Park. Franci has also recently supported the Play Your Park campaign, in honor of her grandchildren.

As guests dined, they heard from Conservancy board chair Kristy Bradshaw about the Conservancy’s history, and all it has in store for the future of Hermann Park.

“This year marks 30 years since Hermann Park Conservancy was founded, and since then, the improvements they’ve overseen can’t be understated… However, there’s so much more in store for Hermann Park and it’s just on the horizon. It’s hard to believe, but next week we break ground on the next step of the Play Your Park campaign, the Commons – 26 acres in the southwest corner of the Park that will be completely revitalized and reimagined,” Bradshaw said.

Mayor Sylvester Turner – a Hats in the Park regular – was also in attendance. He stressed the importance of the Conservancy’s Commons project given its significance to the community and proximity to the Texas Medical Center. With fundraising for the Commons still ongoing, he knew that years from now, “the ladies in the hats” would be to thank for keeping Hermann Park a beautiful place for everyone.