A Whole Lot of Extraordinary Red Heads

TROY, NY — On Oct. 1, 2014, The League of Extraordinary Red Heads gathered for its second annual meeting at Brown’s Brewing Co. in Troy, NY.

Always shrouded in mystery, the highly visible League does not issue official head counts or any other information about its secret fellowship. Unofficially, however, there were more than 120 gingers of all shades assembled for “The Night of the Walking Red 2.”

group of several redheads — "Night of the Walking Red," Oct. 1, 2014. Photos by Andy Kainz & Neil Grabowsky.

On display to inspire awe from all was an enlarged facsimile of Mayor Lou Rosamilia's official proclamation that on Oct. 1, 2014 the City of Troy NY shall also be known as "Ginger City, USA." This extraordinary proclamation was craftily mounted on a red velour foam board.

man with long curly red hair and long red beard outside at Brown's — "Night of the Walking Red," Oct. 1, 2014. Photos by Andy Kainz & Neil Grabowsky.

At 6:30 p.m., a message came over the loud speaker for all within Brown’s Brewing Co. to hear:

Attention: All Gingers, Carrottops, Cheez Doodle Orangies, Auburn Types, Strawberry Blondes and Distinguished White Heads.
The League of Extraordinary Red Heads requests your presence on our deck for its annual meeting and Pumpkin Ale “Toast of the Coppertops.”
All Reds on deck! I repeat: All Reds on deck!

Jennifer Krausnick looked fabulous as she modeled the new League of Extraordinary Red Heads T-shirt, which are available for purchase in our online store.

redheads at outdoor bar — "Night of the Walking Red," Oct. 1, 2014. Photos by Andy Kainz & Neil Grabowsky.

LoERH Founder Duncan Crary facilitated The League’s always concise agenda. This year’s discussion of “1) Us 2) Them” included the important issue of appointing a dedicated member to the status of “High Ginger.” An exalted and official position within the fiery fellowship, the role comes with great responsibility. With cheers, huzzahs and shouts of aye, the League selected Margaret Young.

distinguished whitehead Jack Casey speaking at podium — Jack Casey sings a tribute to gingers for The League of Extraordinary Red Heads "Night of the Walking Red," Oct. 1, 2014. Photos by Andy Kainz & Neil Grabowsky.

Distinguished White Head “Jumpin’ Ginger Jack Casey” performed a musical tribute to Red Heads titled “Gingers Rule.” The original lyrics were set to “Wild Rover (no Nay Never).” Mr. Casey is a Troy novelist, singer/songwriter and official lawyer for Santa Claus. As is the case with Kris Kringle, Mr. Casey’s ginger hair has turned white. But evidence of his extraordinary red headedness was submitted in the form of an enlarged photograph of himself as a young bearded bohemian lad galavanting in Edinburgh, Scotland.

At the conclusion of his tune, Mr. Casey instructed the League to raise their glasses for the pumpkin ale “Toast of the Coppertops,” an autumnal rite of the League of Extraordinary Red Heads.

two hands hold pumpkin beers above the crowd — The Toast of the Coppertops is an autumnal rite of The League of Extraordinary Red Heads. Photos by Andy Kainz & Neil Grabowsky.

Photographers Andy Kainz and Neil Grabowsky, the ginger-haired host of the League’s website, were on hand to capture every moment and orchestrate the group photo. Think herding cats is hard? Try red heads!

You can see all of their photographs from the evening here.