Redhead Event

Hi my friends, very long time no "see". Today is the 10th Anniversary of the Redhead Event, can you believe it? I am here today to pay the largest debt of gratitude to those who made it happen and believed in the vision and goal of raising awareness of Melanoma and skin cancers to which redheads are predisposed. Our small band of volunteers very much succeeded in setting a new record of "The Largest Gathering of Naturally Redheaded People" in the Americas. Of course our greatest measure of honor and respect go to Bart Rouwenhorst and the team (past and present) at Redhead Days for continuing to hold their own broken record, fair plé :) I'm sure I have not included everyone on the path but not for any other reason than it's 10 years on and my memory has always been quite questionable.

_None_ of this crazy red-headed fun would be happening if it weren't for Anne Lindsay and her brilliant partner having _established_ the record in 2010. All my love and respect to a great artist and friend *hug* Along with her, a thanks to The Wistling Santa and the brilliant giants. Rachel and my dear friend Jessica who drove me and my Rice Krispy Treat sculptures to the event in Sammamish on a blistering hot day, so we can sit on an artificial turf pitch and bake in the Sun for over an hour. A huge shout out to all 890 of us on that fateful day.

Fast forward two years and a whole new round of heros comes to the fore. Shane from the Rebuilding Center was some sort of divine saviour without whom the entire event would have been stopped just _hours_ before it was scheduled to happen. For the plywood, posts, tarps, etc, and all the love and support.

In mostly no particular order for everyone involved was critical to the success of this dream. Some were more deeply involved than others and therefore my brain just recalls them easier at 1AM Irish time ;)

Kristy for being a rock, leader, and more on the ball under pressure than I. I have no idea how you managed all the volunteering work while also architecting the run of the day, and with your beaming smile on...and bringing along Rojo! May we have a moment of love and silence for Rojo.

Laura, you are forever in my heart, spirit, and soul for pulling us through...sometimes pushing us through...and sometimes just pushing us ;) But always your drive was pure and intentional. I cherish your friendship, always.

The Pioneer Courthouse Square staff for their unending patience in my design and redesigns!

Tony from RedBull for believing in us and strongly suggesting _not_ to cover the place in RedBull umbrellas even though we'll have 1000's of redheads baking in the Sun _again_! Great call there! Huge shout out for your support.

Ticket Tomato for your guidance, deep education, and patience with a neophyte music festival planner as myself.

Bill Geist for sharing your story growing up as a redhead, and believing in my passion to share my story along with the deeply passionate story of 1000's of the fellow pale skinned humans. Your faith in me is cherished. And raising a toast to your support crew being drug all over the place to capture me feverishly handing out business cards to sometimes less-than-cooperative passers-by *chagrin*

Stacey yogi - You filled the team with a beam of energy just when we needed it the most. Your joy still makes me smile.

Mel from MacMennamins and all of the staffers that served us during the planning months; the unending coffee or Black Rabbit Red, usually one directly into the other. And the countless plates of tots. Thank you!

Ron and Hoffman construction for the use of their perfectly situated window for the recording. We would not have had a Guinness Book of Records submission without your help! A pivitol role, as deeply appreciated as important to the success of the day.

Kevin C. for the unending generosity in giving your space and time, and experience, and encouragement.

Alexia - a co-conspirtors in raising awareness of the redhead in all of us. I believe in you.

Amtrak and Travel Portland president Jeff Miller. You believed we could pull this off and introduced us to the idea that a _train_ could be wrapped for the event?!!?! The Redhead Express was _born_! You are a brilliant, unconventional thinker and your support was a much needed boost.

Uptown Billiards for donating your space for our fundraiser without which we would not have afforded the fence, the paper, and the banners.

Steve and all the Slow The Impact for your art, web design, sound equipment, and performances!!! And saving us from the creative commons nightmare! Thank you for the _perfect_ logo!!! and of course that segueys directly to...

Dan and the Mole Mapper!!! Congratulations for such a brilliant product. I am proud of us for producing the promotional video and successfully pitching it in front of all the right decision makers. I hope you feel as accomplished as you are!!!

The Serious Jugglers!

Brenda and the Yeats Academy of Irish Dance!

Mike P. and MPEG-3 as well as N-Touch...T!!! Thank you for keeping it together with your grooves.

The Patrick Lamb band, your drum kit, your professionalism, and your leadership in producing a music festival was invaluable.

A very warm and sun-blocked debt of gratitude for the saviours from Banana Boat sun cream!!!!

The H2Oregon water suppiers who donated all the water my little truck could hold!!!

All our Ex-Enron cohorts who were there in donation of time, funding, and spirit!

Bryce the web designer _ripping_ out the site in hours...again and again ;)

Linda, Nneka, and Sharon for your writing, proofing, and editing to put our best face forward.

Ahhh...Amy the consumately professional and always-on-point project manager for keeping us moving ever forward!

Joleen and brother Dennis for joining us in our international plight to beat the world record held by our mutual friend...t'was great craic anyway boy!

My brother Bob and nephew who literally pulled their own weight in construction, cleaning, cashiering, and counting...all...day...long. I love you Bobby.

And my respect and gratitude for Oregon Health and Science University for, first my life, and Sancy and Elizabeth at the Dematology Department for having faith in me, and trying to do a brilliant thing for the world. We succeeded as much as we did not. I hope you trust we won in both cases.

My dearest hero, mentor, love, and Sundae Fudge Brownie cohort...I wouldn't be me without you...

To answer the inevitable question; no we do not plan to hold that event again. Please feel free to run your own and learn all of what we learned along the way. I encourage it however, as Anne said on that fateful July, 2010 day...this is not for the faint of heart.