By JENNIFER MAIER / Community Columnist

“Hats off to the Arts” has become the theme of this year’s fashion show benefitting the Shelby County Arts Council.

The annual fundraiser will be March 12 at First Baptist Church of Columbiana.

The show is sponsored by the Vignette, Novella and Culture Clubs of Shelby County, and this year the event will offer a unique twist.

Representatives from each club will wear a hat of their own design, and will compete to win the popular vote for the best hat.

In typical fundraiser style, attendees can cast their “vote” with monetary donations.

The hat that raises the most money will be the winner. The voting will take place between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., and all proceeds will go to benefit the Shelby County Arts Council.

The addition of the hat contest is just one more way the three clubs work to make the much-anticipated annual fashion show a success.

“This year’s fashion show will be fashion packed,” said Pam Johnson, Novella Club member and chairwoman for the event.

Johnson is happy that the event will feature the hat contest.

“This will be another opportunity for the community to make generous contributions to the arts council,” she said.

As always the highlight of the show will be the fashions and the models.

“We have a great line up of fashions from Cato, Bella’s, Chico’s, Davis Gifts, Sassy Sisters, Sew Precious and Maggie Rae’s,” said Johnson.

Fashions of all styles from casual to evening gowns will be shown.

Children and grandchildren of some of the clubwomen will also participate.

Modeling children’s fashions will be Addison and Ansley Kyle, granddaughters of Culture Club member Karen Sweeney; Kinlee Ingram, granddaughter of Vignette Club member Edna Sealy; Rushton Robinson, granddaughter of Vignette Club member Phoebe Robinson; Rylan Hermecz, daughter of Vignette Club member Mindy Hermecz; and Mackenzie and Lorelei Hallmark, daughters of Novella Club member Kristi Hallmark; and Ashton Shirley, granddaughter of Novella Club member Pam Johnson.

Special guests Miss Shelby County Hayley Barber and Miss Shelby County Outstanding Teen Kyra Callens will be modeling in the event along with Isabella Powell, Miss Circle City; Sara Jo Burks, Mrs. Shelby County; and Gwen Baldwin, Mrs. Heart of Dixie.

The emcee for the event is Clare Huddleston, a reporter for WBRC Fox 6 News. Huddleston entered a career in broadcast journalism based on advice given to her by her mother.

“My mother told me to do what Janet Hall does,” said Huddleston.

The advice worked, and Huddleston is now a highly respected journalist with many honors for her work from the Associated Press.

Doors open at 10 a.m. with lunch to be served at 11 a.m.

The fashion show will begin at noon. Tickets for the event are $25, and a reserved table of eight for $250.

Tickets can be purchased at Busy Hands, the Shelby County Arts Council or from area club women.