Many of those attending the event took part in the Hat Contest.

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Ann Madon, second from left, was the winner of the "I Can’t Believe She Wore That" hat contest. Pictured with Madon are Casey Thomas with DDM, Candice Jones Bell Co.Chamber of Commerce director, and Judy Barton Bell Co. Tourism director.

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Middlesboro resident Judy Cox (second from left) was the winner of the Royal Hat contest. Pictured with Cox are Casey Thomas with DDM, Candice Jones Bell Co.Chamber of Commerce director, and Judy Barton Bell Co. Tourism director.

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Shelia Miracle, second from left, won the Most Original Hat contest. Pictured with Miracle are Casey Thomas with DDM, Candice Jones Bell Co.Chamber of Commerce director, and Judy Barton Bell Co. Tourism director.

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Those attending the event were asked to judge entries in the photo contest. The winners will be featured in TOUR Southern and Eastern Kentucky’s (TOUR SEKY) 2013 promotional materials. First, second and third place winners will be featured in the 2013 Redbud Trails Calendar.

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MIDDLESBORO — “Celebration of the Bloom”, the annual Redbud Garden Party was held Friday at the Bell County Tourism Office at the Arthur Museum, located at 2215 Cumberland Avenue in downtown Middlesboro.

Part of the Redbud Trails Program, this event was created in 2004, for the purpose of to helping to jump start the spring tourist season in Southeastern Kentucky. Since the program’s inception, more than 450,000 redbud trees and seedlings have been planted throughout Southern and Eastern Kentucky and thousands more will be planted in this year.

Festivities at this year’s event included a hat contest, reception, and judging of the Red Bud photo contest. The Red BUd Hat Contest featured three categories:

Tthe Royal Hat Award, which is the best of the best hat at the party. The winner in this category will receive a sash, roses and a $50 gift card.he best of the best hat at the party. The winner in this category, Judy Cox, received a sash, roses and a $50 gift card. Second place went to Shirley Sharp.

The second prize was for the Most Creative Hat. The winner of this category, Sheila Miracle, was awarded a sash, roses and a $25 gift card. Second place was awarded to Charlene Rucker.

The third category was, I Can’t Believe She Wore That. This prize went to the wearer of the craziest, most outragous hat at the party. The winner of this category, Ann Madon, also receive a sash, roses and a $25 gift card. Second place was awarded to Francis Taylor.