35th Hat Luncheon Raises $665,000 in Forest Park’s 150th Year

Nearly 800 Forest Park supporters celebrated the Park’s 150th anniversary and Forest Park Forever’s 40th during a festive 35th Annual Hat Luncheon at World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park on June 4.

Hats from the winners for Best Table featured an artist’s individual illustrations of different Forest Park landmarks.

Supporters of this year’s luncheon raised $665,000 — an all-time high for this event — for our nonprofit conservancy’s continued care for Forest Park. The fundraiser began over three decades ago, when Forest Park Forever was in its infancy, as a way to rally community support for the Park’s many needs. Today it is an occasion to continue that tradition in the company of fellow community members and Park supporters.

With maintenance costs rising and recovery from the May 2025 tornado still underway, such generosity makes a big difference for a community treasure that experiences the wear and tear of over 15.5 million visits annually.

Hear our team talk about what tornado recovery and daily maintenance means in this video, which was shown to attendees and produced by our Hat Luncheon story partner, Once Films:

Forest Park Forever leadership members discuss how community support is essential to the Park’s care.

This year’s co-chairs, Akberet Boykin Farr and Laura Sawyier, shared their personal connections to Forest Park, while St. Louis broadcasting legend Carol Daniel emceed and encouraged attendees to continue their support for what USA Today again named the country’s “Best City Park” in 2026.

Attendees also heard from Forest Park Forever President and Executive Director Lesley Hoffarth, City of St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Greg Hayes, and Forest Park Forever board member Jessica Willingham.

Winners in the hat contest were selected in categories for Best Hat, Best Cultural Expression and Best Table by guest judges A.K. Brown, Sarah Fenske and Shameem Clark Hubbard.

Pictured above: Co-chairs Akberet Boykin Farr and Laura Sawyier centered by Lesley Hoffarth; a group taking a selfie; Carol Daniel urging the crowd on; the Saint Boogie Brass Band entertained attendees; Hat Contest contestants walk before the judges; artist Sarah Lorentz created a painting of the scene for the silent auction.

In addition to those purchasing admission and raffle tickets, bidding in the silent auction or signing up to become members, the event was made possible by its sponsors:

Title Sponsor

Anniversary Sponsors

Cypress Sponsors

Magnolia Sponsors

Willow Sponsors

Maple Sponsors

Anders  •  ARCTURIS  •  Asset Consulting Group  •  BJC HealthCare  • Clever Little Girl Foundation  •  Commerce Bank  •  Daniel & Henry  •  Diedre Gray  •  Dragonfly Collective Agency  •  Explore St. Louis and the St. Louis hospitality community  •  EY •  Forvis Mazars  •  Gary & Patty Krosch  •  Genective • Hogan Transportation Companies  •  HOK  •  Joy & Jay Liss • Jim & Lynne Turley  •  Lathrop GPM   •  Lawrence E. Thomas • Lewis Rice  •  LKS Styling + Consulting  •  McCarthy  •  McKean Family Foundation  •  NAVIGATE Building Solutions  • PNC  •  Safety National  •  SWT Design  •  Tarlton •  The Finerty Team at Moneta • U.S. Bank  •  WashU  •  Wells Fargo

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Announcements, FundraisingDominik JanskyHat Luncheon