CREATIVE TOPPERS
Annual hat contest draws many to Saratoga Race Course
SARATOGA SPRINGS >> Track-goers wore their best and most festive hats to the Saratoga Race Course over the weekend for the 25th annual hat contest, a popular start-of-season tradition.
The 2016 Hat Contest took place on Sunday afternoon near the track’s grandstand, drawing many contestants from near and far.
Jane Graeff of Saratoga Springs donned a green and yellow margarita-inspired hat, which she wore around with her friends Chuck and Mary Beth Wright of Illinois, who also wore hats on the hot day.
Sunday was all of their first times participating in the hat contest. “I’m a competitive spirit,” said Mary Beth, who has experience in similar competitions.
Hundreds of hats, fascinators and other interesting pieces of headwear, primarily worn by women, were admired by the masses at the track on Sunday.
Presented by local shop Hatsational by DEI, this year’s contest categories were Fashionably Saratoga, which called for elegant and stylish hats and Uniquely Saratoga, which sought the most unique and original creations. A third category, Kreative Kids, was reserved for contestants 18 and younger to impress the judges with their headwear.
Another first-time competitor, seven-year-old Aundrea Toromino of Bennington Vt., had on a merry-go-round hat with horses from her toy collection.
The Hat Contest takes place each year on the Sunday after the Saratoga Race Course’s opening day, tying in with the annual weekend-long Hats Off to Saratoga Festival.
For many this contest is one of the highlights of
opening weekend, as it invites attendees to wear their the most creative, shocking and over-the-top hats.
One of the most out-ofthe-box hats in the context was a tall and wide headpiece that read ‘SARATOGA’ in sparkles with the words ‘Hats Off!’ underneath and lots of decoration surrounding it. This was worn by returning competitor Julie Potter of Pattersonville, who incorporated the 25th anniversary into her design.
A group of women, some of them who traveled from Boston for the experience, wore hats by made returning winner Donna Cerasuolo of Gloversville. Cerasuolo, who wore a patriotic hat herself, has a small shop in her home called Waltz of the Hats. Cerasuolo makes the accessories with materials from other clothing. “I like to upcycle,” she said, explaining that pieces of her hat were from a first communion dress and a prom gown.
Instead of simply buying a hat, Cerasuolo likes to make them with her own two hands. “I really like having my hands on, because for me it’s that creative experience, to be able to shape something from absolutely nothing,” she said.
On why she chose a red, white and blue theme for her own hat, Cerasuolo said, “Our world is in such a state that I wanted to something that represented America. And I think it worked out well.”
Cerasuolo, 68, was also glad to share her hats with her friends on Sunday for the contest. “I just love the elegance and sophistication of women in hats,” she said. “And this is where we can see that, right here in Saratoga.”