Night of The Walking Red 2023

The League of Extraordinary Red Heads will host its annual “Night of the Walking Red” party on Wednesday, Oct. 4 in Troy.

Now in its 11th year, the autumn event is a rare chance for people with natural red hair (and their loved ones) to meet other red heads and celebrate gingery uniqueness.

“I don’t know if it’s nature or nurture but redheads tend to have very big personalities. When you get a lot of us all in the same place it’s like turning the dial up to 11,” said Duncan Crary, who founded the League in 2013. “Some red heads come every year and have developed friendships, some red heads come once just for the improbable experience of being able to blend in to the crowd for a night.”

Gingers of All Colors, Not Going Extinct

Although redheads only make up about 1 to 2 percent of the global human population, people of any race, ethnicity, nationality or creed can and do have natural red hair.

“There’s a misconception that if you have red hair, you must be Irish,” Crary said. “Do a search on Google: we come from all backgrounds and we’re not going extinct.”

What to Expect

The event is free and open to all, though guests should be mindful that this gathering is for providing a safe and fun space for red heads.

First-time attendees will be welcomed and given a League of Extraordinary Red Heads “Member” card (there are also cards recognizing family members and friends).

Elder redheads whose hair has lost its flame are honored as “Distinguished White Heads” and are represented by the white square in the League’s four-color banner (or logo) which symbolizes the spectrum of gingerness. Crary himself has started to turn “Cinnamon ‘n Sugar,” in the lexicon of the League.

Around 6:15 p.m., the group holds a brief cheeky “Meeting” to discuss important red head issues before a traditional “Toast” and group photograph.

Musical Performance by Sofia Corts

Around 7 p.m., there will be special musical performance by Sofia Corts, an extraordinary red haired 17-year-old singer-songwriter on the cusp of a national breakout. Corts will perform her two hit singles, “temporarily” and “spring cleaning.”

Other amusements include a photo booth with an assortment of red wigs for “unReds” to try on with their red head friends and loved ones.

There is also a merchandise table with League of Extraordinary Red Heads t-shirts, hoodies, lapel pins and other branded merchandise.

Previously, Crary has enlisted caricature artists, fire dancers and bands to enhance the evening. Last year, the group inducted global pop star Rick Astley into The League of Extraordinary Red Heads Hall of Fame after playing a special video message from the singer to the group.

“I usually add something special to the mix every year, often at the last minute,” Crary said. “The main attraction is those who attend.”

So far, the biggest turnout was 2019, with more than 225 red heads reporting. Last year, the redhead crowd bounced back from the pandemic years with a turnout of about 125. Crary basses the headcount off of the group photo, though not every red head makes it into the picture and a few unReds are invited to “photo bomb.”

The League of Extraordinary Red Heads Presents:

Night of the Walking Red X with Musical Guest Sofia Corts

Oct. 4, 2023 | 5 p.m. Start | Free Admission

Ryan’s Wake Public House 403 River Street, Troy NY