As Cyndi Lauper croons in her mid-1960s hit song, “girls just wanna have fun.” But it is not just the younger generation that sees the benefit of having a good time for no other reason than, well, having a good time.

Meet the Red Hat Society. This rapidly growing organization of women is dedicated to facing middle age with “verve, humor and elan,” and believes that silliness is the comic relief of life, wrote Sue Ellen Cooper, founder of the Red Hat Society.

It all began six short years ago, when Cooper, inspired by the poem “Warning” by Jenny Joseph, whose verses reveal the author’s intention to wear red hats and purple outfits when she becomes an old woman, donned the appropriate attire.

With a few like-dressed friends – comrades in gloves as it were – Cooper formed the first chapter of the Red Hat Society. She is now known as the Exalted Queen Mother – Queen Mother being the name given to chapter founders.

There are now 25,000 chapters, each with its own name, registered with the National Red Hat Society, and 600,000 members worldwide. And there are dozens of chapters in Maine.

“We have a really good group,” said Faye Robinson, Queen Mother of the Bangor Babes in Bonnets. “We’ve been having a great time.”

And so they have.

This summer, the Bangor Babes, in full regalia, went to Bar Harbor and took the trolley up the mountain, then stopped in at the Jordan Pond House for tea and popovers.

The Red Hat functions are as varied as the hats themselves, although “high tea” is a favorite activity. From red sateen baseball caps to full, wide brimmed hats with feathers, flowers and netting, the Red Hatters never miss an opportunity to get dolled up and take their show on the road. Be it an elaborate Christmas party or a champagne breakfast – purple pajamas please, and of course red hats – the sole goal is to enjoy life and each other.

“We come together at all stages of our lives to laugh, have a good time and eat dessert first,” said Bangor Babe Norine Holt.

Requirements to be a Red Hatter are few. One must be at least 50 years of age and have a strong desire to have fun. The society colors – red hat and purple clothing – must be worn at all Red Hat Society events. Take heart if you haven’t yet reached the half-century mark, for you will still be welcomed with open, purple-clad arms. You will, however, be required to wear a pink hat and lavender ensemble until your big birthday.

For Sue Torrey, a member of the Bangor Babes in Bonnets who recently turned 50, it was the birthday of a lifetime.

“I just had my red-uation where they took away my pink hat and gave me a red one,” she said. “I was given lots of red gifts and I partied all week. Some women have a hard time turning 50, but I had a great time. I really celebrated all week.”

It seems like every get together is a celebration, of sorts. As it should be.

And what would the National Folk Festival be without the Red Hat Society in attendance? At least four chapters from around the area are meeting at a Bangor restaurant and then heading down to the Bangor waterfront.

The ladies will be a vision in red and purple. You can’t miss them, even if you’re colorblind. Just look for the group having the most fun.

The Bangor Babes in Bonnets chapter is closed now, but visit www.redhatsociety.com for information on other chapters or to learn how to start your own chapter. You may also call Robinson at 945-4199 for information.

Carol Higgins is director of communications at Eastern Agency on Aging. For information on EAA, call 941-2865, email info@eaaa.org or log on www.eaaa.org.