Wednesday, July 14
Contact:
Mark Bardack or Caitlin Merrill
Ed Lewi Associates
(518) 383-6183
The 19th Annual Hat Contest “Crowns” Opening Weekend Festivities at
The annual Hat Contest is the highlight of the three-day “Hats Off to
The millinery mayhem will unfold on the track apron Sunday afternoon as adults and kids compete in three distinct categories: Uniquely Saratoga, Fashionably Saratoga, and for younger patrons, Kreative Kids.
Hat contest registration will begin at noon under the grandstand where patrons will await their turn to flaunt their fabulous head pieces. The heady competition will take place after the second, third and fourth races (approximately 1:35, 2:10 and 2:40 p.m.), as participants parade in front of the judges for the chance to win a variety of
The first category of the afternoon, “Kreative Kids,” is reserved for those 18 and under. The stylish youngsters will be competing for a $50 gift card to Saratoga Silks. Runners up will take home merchandise from Saratoga Race Course.
The category appropriately entitled, “Fashionably Saratoga,” invites contestants to don their most beautiful hats. Taking place after the third race, the most fashionable female will enjoy a $100 betting voucher, a Clubhouse lunch for two, and a silver plate trophy. Runners-up receive a silver plate trophy.
Following the fourth race, the most original artisans and architects will go head to head for the title of “Uniquely Saratoga.” Contestants will compete for the grand prize of a $500 betting voucher, Clubhouse lunch for 2, and a silver plate trophy. Runners-up take home a silver plate trophy.
Hat contest judges will include Ms. Betsy Senior, co-owner of Senior & Shopmaker Gallery in Manhattan and wife of New York Racing Association President and CEO Charlie Hayward; Ms. Maureen Lewi, Saratoga Race Course insider and co-founder of the public relations firm Ed Lewi Associates; and Ms. Randi Tyler, 99.5 The River “Morning Crew” personality. The event will be emceed by WTEN/ABC-10’s Anya Tucker.
The Hat Contest will be the capstone of opening weekend at Saratoga Race Course which will kick off on Friday, July 23 with free grandstand admission and a $2 reduced clubhouse admission for track patrons. The celebration continues with the 94th running of the Grade 1 Betfair TVG Coaching Club American Oaks on Saturday, July 24. The day will honor the history and tradition of coaching clubs by displaying two antique horse-drawn coaches at the race course. Before the first race on Saturday at 12:30 p.m., Coaching Club president Louis G. Piancone will lead one of the historic horse-drawn road coaches down the
For more information about participating in the 19th annual Hat Contest at
For more information about Saratoga Race Course, call (518) 584 – 6200 or log onto www.nyra.com. For additional information about events at Saratoga Race Course, visit http://www.nyra.com/saratogaevents.shtml.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Mark Bardack or Caitlin Merrill
Ed Lewi Associates •
ELA Main Office: (518) 383-6183 • FAX (518) 383-6755 (Mon. – Fri., 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Weekend Numbers: M. Bardack Cell (518) 867-7943, or C. Merrill Cell (603) 674-0576
