750 Redheads Gather For Massive Photo in Highwood

About 750 redheads gathered in Highwood over the first weekend in June for what is believed to be a national record.

A photo of the 750 - which accounted for nearly more than a quarter of those who showed up for the two-day festival outside Highwood City Hall - was captured on the second day of the fest.

Those pictured came from all over the nation, according to Ripple Public Relations, including some from as far as Baton Rouge, LA; Albuquerque, NM and Mesa, AZ.

Related on Patch: Day 1 of Highwood’s Redhead Days a Success

The current record for most redheads in a photo is 1,672, taken in Breda, Holland - the home of the original Redhead Days and the basis for this event for organizer Jim Stoecker, owner of Alex’s Washington Gardens in Highwood.

“While we did not quite break the record, we had a great time trying, especially for a first run at it,” Stoecker said.

Related on Patch: Festival of Redheads Planned for Chicago’s North Shore

While the massive overhead photo was the highlight of the fest on Sunday, a Carrot Cake Throwdown had everyone entertained on Saturday.

A panel of independent judges tasted 12 carrot cake entries from across the Chicago area and ranked them based on appearance, taste, texture and frosting.

Nothing Bundt Cakes, a Skokie bakery, won first prize. They were followed by Barker Boys and A La Carte, both of Highland Park.

Katie Breen, a representative of Ripple Public Relations - a firm that has been working with the City of Highwood for six years - said plans for the second annual Redhead Days Chicago Affiliate Festival are already in the works.

“Ripple has been so fortunate, working with the City of Highwood since 2009,” said representative Katie Breen. “We were so honored when Jim Stoecker presented the idea of a Redhead Fest in Highwood, and wanted us to help make his dream a reality,” said Breen. “This first event was a huge success and now we’re onto making this an annual event, bringing gingers to Highwood from near and far.”