THOUSANDS OF HATS

Saratoga’s annual hat contest is something to see

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Sun hats, top hats, fedoras, fascinators and baseball caps were all worn Sunday at Saratoga Race Course for a hat-themed ending to opening weekend.

The yearly Hat Contest was held at the track on Sunday,

which was also the first giveaway day of the 2018 meet.

With each paid admission attendees could claim a black and red baseball cap with the Saratoga Race Course logo on it. Close to 40,000 of these hats, presented by Saratoga Casino Hotel, were made for the occasion and handed out near the main entrance.

Among the thousands of capwearing track-goers on Sunday were some special hats worn for competition in the Saratoga Race Course’s 27th annual Hat Contest, presented by Spa City business Hat Sationa! by DEI.

The New York Racing Associa-

tion honors the tradition of hats in thoroughbred racing with the event each year.

The contest has three different categories: Kreative Kids, Fashionably Saratoga and Uniquely Saratoga.

Contestants sported creative and fashionable headwear to compete in what has become a staple of opening weekend at Saratoga Race Course.

Returning champion Julie Potter, a hairdresser from Pattersonville, wore a large hat honoring the 13 total Triple Crown winners, with a special focus on the most recent favorite Justify. Decorated atop a clear plastic

umbrella, she designed the hat with both fashion and function in mind. “I wanted to do something for the 13 Triple Crown winners, but also we anticipated rain,” Potter said. “So I put the two together.”

On why she participates each year, Potter said, “It’s just exciting, I bring my kids every year. It’s really fun to be able to be creative and show your stuff.”

Others back in the contest for another round this year were sisters Bailee and Kiarra Seymour of Saratoga Springs. Each had some crafty designs atop their heads on Sunday. Kiarra, who is

10, took home the top prize in the Kreative Kids category with a Starting Gate hat, and 13-year- old Bailee came in third wearing a Whitney Viewing Stand model.

What Bailee enjoys most about the contest is the creating and crafting. “I just think it’s fun to go to the store to get all of the stuff together,” she said.

First- time participant Nancy Skowronek of Rotterdam had a hat with horses too. While waiting to walk across the stage in the Unique Saratoga portion of the contest, she said, “I wanted to create a hat that exemplified the charm of the Saratoga Race Course.”

More information about Saratoga Race Course and its upcoming events for the 2018 meet is available online at www. NYRA.com/ Saratoga.

LAUREN HALLIGAN LHALLIGAN@DIGITALFIRSTMEDIA.COM The 27th annual Hat Contest on Sunday at the Saratoga Race Course.

Ladies look their best for the 27th annual Hat Contest on Sunday at the Saratoga Race Course.

Arlene Hogan of Clifton Park sports a blue headpiece during the 27th annual Hat Contest on Sunday at Saratoga Race Course.

LAUREN HALLIGAN LHALLIGAN@DIGITALFIRSTMEDIA.COM Uniquely Saratoga contestants line up to show off their hats in the 27th annual Hat Contest on Sunday at the Saratoga Race Course.

Left to right: Freya Smith of Tribes Hill, Maurita Smith of Fort Johnson and Annette Pierson of North Syracuse were the top three contestants in the Fashionably Saratoga portion of the 27th annual Hat Contest on Sunday at Saratoga Race Course.

Competitors smile during the Fashionably Saratoga category of the 27th annual Hat Contest on Sunday at Saratoga Race Course.

Participants smile during the 27th annual Hat Contest on Sunday at Saratoga Race Course.

Kreative Kids category winner Kiarra Seymour, 10, of Saratoga Spring walks off with her prizes during the 27th annual Hat Contest on Sunday at the Saratoga Race Course.