TROY – On Wednesday, Oct. 5, starting at 5 p.m., The League of Extraordinary Red Heads will present “Night of the Walking Red Part IX” at Ryan’s Wake Public House, located at 403 River St. in downtown Troy.
It’s a fall tradition 10 years in the making: hundreds of naturally red-haired people gather in Troy to toast the season when the colors of the world turn to match their own — auburn, orange, ginger, and strawberry blonde.
“The idea to form The League of Extraordinary Red Heads began as a barstool quip between a few friends,” said LoERH Founder Duncan Crary. “After our very first event in 2013, we knew it was something worth repeating.”
The fiery festivities feature a traditional “Toast of The Coppertops,” during which members of the red-haired collective, age 21 and over, raise glasses of seasonal Pumpkin Ale or other themed cocktails (this year’s sponsors include: Brooklyn Brewery Post Road Pumpkin Ale and Deep Eddy Ruby Red Vodka).
There will be a sunset group photograph around the deck at 6:15 p.m.
Children are welcome with supervision.
“This is a rare spectacle that many of us look forward to all year,” Crary said. “I’ve made some great friends through these gatherings over the years. Some parents have brought their munchkins to each League meeting and one of my favorite things is to watch them grow up.”
So far, the biggest attendance was 2019 with more than 225 redheads reporting. A writer for The New Yorker magazine attended and covered the party in a humorous article appearing in the Oct 21, 2019 print edition.
Over the years, the LoERH has also staged elaborate Holiday greeting card photo shoots that parody pop culture. The most recent shoot in 2019 featured “A Game of Thrones” author George RR Martin surrounded with LoERH members in costume. Those greeting cards will be available for sale along with LoERH t-shirts, hoodies, lapel pins and other branded merchandise.
First-time attendees are eligible to receive the coveted League of Extraordinary Red Heads “Member” card.
The League’s tongue-in-cheek website and other printed materials are penned by Crary who is a professional writer and publicist.
“We didn’t meet in 2020 and last year we held our most subdued gathering given the post-pandemic complications,” Crary said. “This year we’re making up for lost time and missed conviviality. I expect to see some new fiery locks in our ranks this year!”
People of all types and backgrounds can have natural red hair.
Crary is working with organizers around the country to form local chapters of The League of Extraordinary Red Heads, which is a registered trademark.
DETAILS:
The League of Extraordinary Red Heads Presents:
“Night of the Walking Red IX” & “Toast of the Coppertops”
Feat. Brooklyn Brewery Post Road Pumpkin Ale & Deep Eddy Ruby Red Vodka
Oct. 5, 2022 | 5 p.m. Start | Free Admission
Ryan’s Wake Public House 403 River Street, Troy NY
Comments are closed.