Over Their Heads : St. Jude Supporters Take On Broadway in Parade of Flowers

In what has become Orange County’s own version of the Rose Parade, eight women modeled massive floral headdresses at Damas de Caridad’s 32nd annual Bal Masque on Friday.

“Broadway on Parade” was the theme of the one-of-a-kind headdress ball, which attracted more than 600 guests to the Anaheim Hilton. The $175-per-person gala was expected to raise more than $100,000 for the St. Jude Medical Center’s Mobile Pediatric Van for the poor.

Floral Fantasy

“Floats on legs”--that’s how Pat Perkins, Damas president, described the mannequins who wore the 30-pound headdresses.

Mannequins not only walked but danced down the runway, with floor men ready to catch them if they fell.

“There’s ham in all of us,” said Perkins, a former mannequin. “When you hear that music, and you’re wearing this spectacular thing, you feel different than you ever have in your life.”

Cindy Ayloush sported the winning entry--a glittering peacock headdress created by floral designer Donna Wallace.

“All those people cheering made me feel like a movie star,” Ayloush said. “I could have stayed out there an hour.”

A huge American Indian headdress designed by Lynn Levine was first runner-up--with Nancy Constantine modeling to the tune of “I’m an Indian Too” from “Annie Get Your Gun.”

For the “My Fair Lady” sequence, Janny Catlin Meyer donned a wedding dress and possibly the world’s largest wedding veil designed by Barbara Kishiyama, Erni Olson and Jeff Shadic. The bridal headdress was second runner-up.

“It takes a little finesse to move around stage with 30 pounds of flowers on your head,” said Meyer, who was modeling for the third time.

Other mannequins were Gail Cochran, looking like the queen of hearts in a massive crown with red flowers created by Alan Augustyniak; Beverly Bates, in a towering gold temple designed by Mark Massad for “The King and I” number; Irene McCormick, who did a bagpipe jig while supporting a plaid “Brigadoon” headdress designed by Scott Carmichael;Sandee Johnson, who performed a modified cancan to the tune of “Razzle Dazzle” in a feathered headdress by Neal Harrison, and Doretta Wedin, who balanced romantic parasols created by Jim Delamore.

Balancing Act

Judging the floats is no small matter. Florists must make sure headdresses do not exceed the 32-pound limit, lest part of their creation be cut off on the spot. Floats may tower no more than six feet above the mannequin’s head, and extend no more than three feet to each side. Eighty percent of the headdress must be decked with live flowers.

Mannequins balance the headdresses on their hips with the help of a steel brace that runs down the back. When one mannequin’s headdress slipped forward for just an instant, the crowd gasped.

Broadway show tunes provided the inspiration for this year’s headdresses.

“I chose the theme because I’ve always loved Broadway musicals,” said Shirley Kerstner, ball chairwoman.

Guests sat at tables adorned with bouquets of long-stemmed red roses and enjoyed a feast that included mushrooms and asparagus en croute , filet mignon and, for those who still had room, tiramisu for dessert.

Since its founding in 1961, Damas de Caridad (Ladies of Charity) has raised more than $1.1 million for St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton. The hospital’s mobile pediatric clinic provides medical care, inoculations, checkups and other services to more than 8,000 poor children each year. Ball proceeds will go to purchase another van for the program.

Among the guests were Beverly Swanson, past ball chairwoman; Patricia Maysent, president and chief executive officer of St. Jude; master of ceremonies Griff Duncan; pageant judges Ben Lovejoy, Nancy Chapman, Modesto Busto and Cathy Zikakis; choreographers Carol Rodriguez and Rob Baron; Maurice and Marcy Mulville, Damas founder; Dan and Linda Baker, Sam and Judy Doolittle, James and Pam Markman, Royce Hutain, William McGarvey, Bette Roethe, Robert and Dorothy Beaver, Wayne and Doretta Wedin, Corky Winters and Gene and Nadine Leyton.