An art installation featuring over 200 hats was unveiled at Merseyway in Stockport on Saturday as the shopping centre gears up to celebrate ‘Wear a Hat Day’ this Easter.
‘Hats Off’ features a stunning canopy of illuminated top and bowler hats suspended from the centre’s ceiling, coupled with individual ‘selfie’ hats throughout the centre.
The installation, which will be in-situ until after the school Easter holidays, will also provide a colourful back-drop for the centre’s Easter event on Good Friday (30 March).
From 11am – 4pm, children of all ages can take part in a range of free workshops including hat making, balloon sculpting and face painting, while families can enjoy a Hat Hunt by following a themed trail through the centre to win prizes.
At Stockport’s Hat Works Museum, there will be a series of free workshops for families to make a hat in conjunction with Wear a Hat Day, raising money for Brain Tumour Research.
At 3.45pm visitors can take to the stage and parade their newly-made hats and bonnets in front of a panel of judges, in the much anticipated HATwalk Show to win a range of prizes including a Children’s Pizza Making Party (for up to 10 children and worth over £100) at Pizza Express Redrock and a family ticket to see Peter Rabbit at The Light Cinema, Redrock.
And with Stockport’s Foodie Friday taking place at Stockport Market from 6pm – 9pm, visitors can hold onto their hats and celebrate into the evening with a range of fantastic street food, craft ales and live music with a Mod March theme!
Merseyway Centre Manager, Brendan Webb said “Hats are synonymous with Stockport and we were keen to bring this element of the town’s heritage to life through an art installation with real wow factor, and we’re delighted with the result!
“Our Easter event on Good Friday has seen us work closely with Stockport’s Hat Museum, and we’re encouraging local families to take advantage of the free hat and Easter bonnet making workshops at both the museum and the centre, which are all in aid of a brilliant cause, and then join us at 3.45pm for our Hatwalk Show to win some fantastic prizes.”
Caroline Simpson, Corporate Director for Place at Stockport Council, said: “It’s great to see Merseyway showcasing Stockport’s hat heritage with this exhibition. There is lots happening at Merseyway and the Hat Works Museum on Good Friday and I’d like to encourage residents to come to these free events and support Brain Tumour Research by wearing headwear and making a donation.”
Follow @merseyway or visit www.merseyway.com for more information and updates on Easter at Merseyway 2018.
Photo Chris Payne
