CLEARFIELD – Get out your craziest hat and craft supplies. It is almost time for the annual Derby Hat Contest at the Clearfield County Fair.
It is the sixth year for the silly contest which will be held during the harness races on Tuesday.
Julie Houston of the Clearfield County Historical Society explained that a core group from the CCHS started the tradition as a way for people to have fun by mixing some nostalgia into the hat tradition at the Kentucky Derby.
“Each year it got bigger and bigger.”
And so did the hats. Some were so big last year they had trouble getting into the grandstand.
A few of the participants are very dedicated to their designs and “think about this all year long.”
The family category has the most elaborate designs, she said.
“After the racing is over, it is fun to walk around the fair and see the hats. It is almost like a fashion show,” she noted.
One resident of Coalport has been a regular, bringing her granddaughters each year to make memories for them by taking part in this free, family, fun activity, she said.
Creating a hat is a way people can show their personalities, Julie explained.
“You can really express yourself.”
The contest always draws a big crowd, with up to 200 participants. It has featured celebrity judges such as Joe Murgo and Mark Mancuso of WTAJ who have promoted it on their station.
Interest in this contest has spread.
Representatives of the Bedford County Fair asked about it as they loved the idea and wanted to do it at their fair, she said. Julie hopes the idea will spread from there to other fairs.
Unfortunately, this is the first year that the historical society is not in charge of the event.
The hat contest brought people to the fair but not necessarily to their downtown museum which is featuring different activities on Sundays this summer.
“We are very proud about starting this tradition, but this year we needed to focus on events at our museum,” Julie said.
But do not worry, the Clearfield County Fair Board and the Clearfield Revitalization Corp. have stepped in to take charge.
Lexy Hallstrom said as before, there will be a variety of prizes in various categories including a grand champion.
“To some it is just a silly hat thing, but it is fun.”
She encourages people to make crazy hats, “the more ridiculous the better.”
Among last year’s participants was a group who wore top hats that covered all but their legs, a hat with pink flamingos and flowers that was almost as tall as the man who wore it, and a flat hat that was as wide as the wearer’s arm length.
“Create your own hat as a solo contestant or create a fun group theme! The possibilities are endless,” it says on a flyer for the event.
Those competing should arrive at the grandstand by 4:30 p.m. to register. Judging will begin at 5 p.m.
The free harness racing begins at 5:30. (Other harness races are on Saturday evening, and Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday at 1 p.m.: all free.) Tuesday is also one of the Senior Citizen Days with free admission to those 65 and over until 6 p.m.
Lexy commented that when the Derby Hat Contest started, they did not know if it was going to work or not, but “it took off really well” and has continued to grow in popularity.
(Anyone interested in keeping up on the other fun activities at the Clearfield County Historical Society should check out their website, Clearfield-county-historical-society-net.)
