Only around 1 percent of human beings have red hair, most of them from countries in Northern and Western Europe. As a result, redheads have often been misunderstood or even maligned for standing out. No one wants to be the “red-headed stepchild” for example.

This weekend in suburban Highwood, carrot tops and strawberry blonds are coming together for Redhead Days, a celebration of redheads.

Morning Shift talks to festival organizer Jim Stoecker about the quirks and perks of being a redhead, what the festival is all about and how redheads have been portrayed in popular culture throughout history. We also take comments from redheaded listeners.