WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — When the Republican National Convention (RNC) begins, delegates will be wearing their pride on their heads.

It’s part of a longstanding hat tradition at political conventions.

What You Need To Know

  • Polk County delegate Kat Gates-Skipper prepares for the Republican National Convention (RNC) by making political hats

  • It’s part of a longstanding hat tradition at political conventions

  • Back in 2016, Smithsonian curators asked her to donate her headwear to the National Museum of American History

  • The RNC begins July 15

Polk County resident Kat Gates-Skipper spent time adding pins and buttons to the hats she’ll wear in Milwaukee. This is her third convention.

“I’m really excited about going back,” Gates-Skipper said.

The alternate delegate said she loves the creativity that goes into crafting her convention hats. 

“It kind of tells a story about who I am and what I do, and of course, supporting President Trump,” Gates-Skipper said. “And it’s a lot of fun.”

Gates-Skipper has three original political hats she’ll take to the Republican National Convention this year.

Back in 2016, she said the hat she wore gained national attention. Smithsonian curators asked her to donate the fancy headwear to the National Museum of American History. Gates-Skipper said she received that hat as a gift — and she’s not ready to hand it over to a museum.

“I said no, I got more work to do,” Gates-Skipper said, laughing. “I wouldn’t give it up.”

The RNC kicks off July 15.