BY ROBIN MIMNA
Hey, DeLand — guess who knocked on your door? A fabulous flock of Helens, ready to turn Downtown DeLand into their own live-action sitcom.
The Roper Romp returned to DeLand, and this year’s event delivered a night of outrageous fun, camaraderie, and just the right amount of chaos. Whether they were first-time Helens or seasoned romping pros, this night was for everyone.
Started by local Jen Horton in 2024, the Roper Romp is a bar crawl where participants don wigs, caftans and their best “Helen” alter egos to celebrate fabulousness in all forms. It’s inspired by the iconic 1970s sitcom Three’s Company, where neighbors Helen Roper and her husband Stanley lived downstairs — but Helen, with her bold muumuus, sass and side-eye, quickly became a cult favorite.
When asked why she started the romp, Horton simply replied, “Why not? You don’t need an excuse to be fabulous.”
The night kicked off at Café DaVinci, where a sea of wigs, caftans and contagious smiles set the tone for an unforgettable evening. After snapping the first group photo, the crowd of Helens romped their way across Downtown DeLand, weaving through some of the city’s most beloved bars.
Rompers invade surrounding bars, confusing patrons and frightening staff.
From there, the official romp sashayed on to Persimmon Hollow and then to the Abbey, where the Helen horde paused for another fabulous photo op. As the night unraveled in the best possible way, the romp rolled into Wander Bar, and finally, only the most seasoned (and hydrated) among them staggered gloriously into Half Wall. There, one last group photo immortalized the glorious mess of a night that refused to be anything less than legendary.
While many followed the planned route, not everyone stuck to the script. A group of spirited anti-establishment Helens peeled away from the main crowd and ended up at Issues, where they surprised some delighted, albeit somewhat confused bar-goers with an impromptu Roper dance show.
Peggy Smith from the DeLand & Greater West Volusia Chamber of Commerce was spotted in full Helen regalia and summed up the vibe perfectly: “We are a bunch of Helens raising a bunch of hellen!”
Attendance more than tripled since last year, showing just how fast this fabulously chaotic tradition is growing.
If you missed it, don’t worry — this Helen-powered tradition shows no signs of slowing down. And if you were there, you already know: It wasn’t just a bar crawl — it was a full-blown romp.
Here’s to the Helens. Until next year!
Can you identify this Romper?
Answers: Georgia Turner, Diane Lopez, Jen Horton, Peggy Smith, Aimee and Gwenn Hardesty
