Chances are many people have seen a group of women wearing red hats and dressed in purple either in area restaurants socializing or out and about the local community. As members of the Red Hat Society, an international social organization for women over the age of 50, their purpose is to have fun.

There are thousands of chapters. The local organization, Crimson Hatted Cruisers, recently celebrated its 20th anniversary at a luncheon held in the social hall of Epworth UM Church March 1. The local chapter was founded by Steffie Rau in 2004.

The Bethlehem area-based Crimson Hatted Cruisers generally gather monthly in local restaurants and enjoy their game days at the church. Other activities include attending national and international Red Hat Society conventions, parties, trips, participating in Bethlehem’s Halloween parade, birthday bashes, a Christmas party and a witches ball in October. They have also ‘adopted’ one of Bethlehem’s fire stations and have delivered pizza, ice cream sundaes and potluck dinners to firefighters.

Red Hatters use the royalness associated with their red and purple colors by choosing royal names such as Lady MaWolf, Lady Wordsmith and Queenmumzy. The individual chosen to lead is recognized as the queen and the current queen, Evelyn Schechter is known as Contessa of Good Cheer.

Beyond the colors and names, members join for the fun activities and camaraderie, which they say turns into long lasting friendships.