Hanging baskets and flower boxes weren’t the only thing brightening up the streets of Bancroft on Monday afternoon.
Twenty women dressed in bright orange wigs and flowing outfits adorned the patio of the Bancroft Brew pub at the start of their “Mrs Roper Romp”.
The “Romp” is a phenomenon where groups of people dress up like the freewheeling caftan-wearing Mrs Roper from the 70’s sitcom Three’s Company. They then parade the streets of cities or towns, often stopping for refreshments along the way.
Bancroft’s Romp organizer Sandra Moffat, an Eels lake cottager, and until recently, director of the lake association, said she likes to create community and has always enjoyed costumes.
“I just thought why not? I’m having twenty girls up to the cottage and we’re going to go up to Bancroft and hit the Tin Shed and walk up and down the street.”
MooseFM caught the start of The Romp, where the decked-out crew was happily having a ‘pre-drink’ to celebrate the walk. From the patio of the Brew Pub the group waved to trucks as they passed, encouraging some friendly honks in return.
MooseFM asked Moffat why she thought an event honoring Mrs Roper appealed to so many.
“She just wants to be herself. If she wants to wear the gaudiest jewelry she can. It doesn’t bother her, she’s just ‘the more strange the better’. Just live and let live and be happy who you are”
