Bring Out Your Red! Annual Event Celebrates Red Haired People
For Immediate Release
Contact: Duncan Crary, 518-274-2723
DCC@DuncanCrary.com
"Night of The Walking Red" Oct. 4 at Ryan's Wake Public House, Troy, N.Y.
Musical Guest: Sofia Corts
TROY, N.Y. (9/22/23) -- The League of Extraordinary Red Heads will host its annual "Night of the Walking Red" party on Wednesday, Oct. 4 in Troy.
Now in its 11th year, the autumn event is a rare chance for people with natural red hair (and their loved ones) to meet other red heads and celebrate gingery uniqueness.
"I don't know if it's nature or nurture but redheads tend to have very big personalities. When you get a lot of us all in the same place it's like turning the dial up to 11," said Duncan Crary, who founded the League in 2013. "Some red heads come every year and have developed friendships, some red heads come once just for the improbable experience of being able to blend in to the crowd for a night."
There is one family that attends regularly, the Knotts of Watervliet, in which all five family members have red hair. In general, Crary said red heads are used to being the only one of their kind in the room.
A Message of Mirth
Crary occasionally gets asked if The League has an anti-bullying mission, as red heads are at times singled out with unwanted attention.
"The League does not give energy to bullies, microaggressions or pervy creeps," Crary said. "We lean into all the weird notions about us and control of our own narrative."
It's not always easy being ginger, he added — especially when you're a kid receiving awkward expressions of affection or envy — but it's a lot of fun when you learn to love it.
Gingers of All Colors, Not Going Extinct
Although redheads only make up about 1 to 2 percent of the global human population, people of any race, ethnicity, nationality or creed can and do have natural red hair.
"There's a misconception that if you have red hair, you must be Irish," Crary said. "Do a search on Google: we come from all backgrounds and we're not going extinct."
What to Expect
The event is free and open to all, though guests should be mindful that this gathering is for providing a safe and fun space for red heads.
First-time attendees will be welcomed and given a League of Extraordinary Red Heads "Member" card (there are also cards recognizing family members and friends).
Elder redheads whose hair has lost its flame are honored as "Distinguished White Heads" and are represented by the white square in the League's four-color banner (or logo) which symbolizes the spectrum of gingerness. Crary himself has started to turn "Cinnamon 'n Sugar," in the lexicon of the League.
Around 6:15 p.m., the group holds a brief cheeky "Meeting" to discuss important red head issues before a traditional "Toast" and group photograph.
Musical Performance by Sofia Corts
Around 7 p.m., there will be special musical performance by Sofia Corts, an extraordinary red haired 17-year-old singer-songwriter on the cusp of a national breakout. Corts will perform her two hit singles, "temporarily" and "spring cleaning."
Other amusements include a photo booth with an assortment of red wigs for "unReds" to try on with their red head friends and loved ones.
There is also a merchandise table with League of Extraordinary Red Heads t-shirts, hoodies, lapel pins and other branded merchandise.
Previously, Crary has enlisted caricature artists, fire dancers and bands to enhance the evening. Last year, the group inducted global pop star Rick Astley into The League of Extraordinary Red Heads Hall of Fame after playing a special video message from the singer to the group.
"I usually add something special to the mix every year, often at the last minute," Crary said. "The main attraction is those who attend."
So far, the biggest turnout was 2019, with more than 225 red heads reporting. Last year, the redhead crowd bounced back from the pandemic years with a turnout of about 125. Crary basses the headcount off of the group photo, though not every red head makes it into the picture and a few unReds are invited to "photo bomb."
World Renowned
The League has been profiled by major media outlets around the globe, perhaps most notably in a humorous article article appearing in the Oct. 21, 2019 print edition of the New Yorker magazine.
Book authors, journalists, and documentary filmmakers have made the pilgrimage to Troy to participate in and report on the gathering over the years.
The LoERH has also staged elaborate Holiday greeting card photo shoots that parody pop culture. The 2019 holiday shoot featured “A Game of Thrones” Author George RR Martin surrounded with League members in costume as the red haired characters in the book and HBO show.
The League's tongue-in-cheek website and other printed materials are penned by Crary who is a professional writer and publicist.
Crary is working with organizers around the country to form local chapters of The League of Extraordinary Red Heads, which is a registered trademark.
Early Excuse Letters
Crary has been known to write early excuse letters on League of Extraordinary Red Heads letterhead for redheads to give to their employer on the day of the event so they won't miss the fun. Contact him through the League's website or social media to request an excuse note.
Details
The League of Extraordinary Red Heads Presents:
Night of the Walking Red X with Musical Guest Sofia Corts
Oct. 4, 2023 | 5 p.m. Start | Free Admission
Ryan's Wake Public House 403 River Street, Troy NY
For Information
https://extraordinary.red
https://www.facebook.com/LeagueOfExtraordinaryRedheads
https://www.instagram.com/leagueofextraordinaryredheads
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