August 26, 2019
Slideshows
Photo by Mark Larson
Event organizers Lacey Olson (left). Debbie Olson and Cindy Olsen, of Ferndale, greeted arrivals and signed in hat-wearing contestants at the gate.
Photo by Mark Larson
Three of the Steampunk Wenches group (Traci Ober, left, of Scotia, Beth Ghidinelli, of Rio Dell, and Carrie Stephens, of Loleta) stopped for a photo in early afternoon. Their group took the Runner-Up spot in the overall competition.
Photo by Mark Larson
Channeling her inner Salvador Dali, Velma Root, of Eureka, created her "Reversal of Fortune" hat from a bird cage. She won the Funniest or Most Outrageous category.
Photo by Mark Larson
Hat-wearing ladies gathered along the race track rail to cheer on their favorites.
Photo by Mark Larson
Laura Ayllon, of Loleta, put her sun hat to good use on the sunny afternoon. She placed second in the Most Glamorous category.
Photo by Mark Larson
Four of the Marble Heads (Tammy Meyers, left, of Eureka, Kim Trett, of McKinleyville, Kathy Koch, of Eureka, and Amber Neilson, of McKinleville) showed off their spectacular marble-themed hats. Their group (also including Sherry Hill of Eureka) won the Best Couple or Group category.
Photo by Mark Larson
More hat-wearing spectators gathered at the pre-race warm-up pen to check out the horses.
Photo by Mark Larson
Taking a break in the shade of the grandstands, Sharon Buck, of Eureka, checked out her winning bet tickets.
Photo by Mark Larson
Ruthann Codina, Stephanie Beauchaine, both of Fortuna, and Sandra Cooke, of Lincoln, cheered on their picks near the finish line.
Photo by Mark Larson
Cindy Sallinen, of Mendocino, found a winning formula with her hat design for the Best Racing Theme category.
Photo by Mark Larson
Track bugler Paul Estabrook, of Santa Rosa, sounded the call to the starting gate for Saturday's horse races at the Humboldt County Fair in Ferndale.
Photo by Mark Larson
Every photographer's goal is to capture at least one horse running with all four hooves off the ground. Getting two horses doing that at the same time in one photo is even better.
Photo by Mark Larson
Haley Boynton (right), of Ferndale, filed onto the track for the Parade of Hats after the fourth race with her group members Taylin Boynton (No. 1), and Taisley (No. 2) and Quincy (No. 3) Titus. They later won the Youth category.
Photo by Mark Larson
Willow Sealy, of Eureka, showed off her Carmen Miranda-style creation that later won the Most Original category.
Photo by Mark Larson
Carla Kendrick, of McKinleyville, was awarded first place in the Most Glamorous category.
Photo by Mark Larson
This group (styled this year as One, Two, Three Cherries Jubilee and organized by Julie Johansen, of Fortuna) won the Grand Prize for a second year in a row.
Photo by Mark Larson
The One, Two, Three Cherries Jubilee group (organized by Julie Johansen, of Fortuna) stopped by their fans for more photos after they won the Grand Prize for a second year in a row.
4/18
Photo by Mark Larson
Channeling her inner Salvador Dali, Velma Root, of Eureka, created her "Reversal of Fortune" hat from a bird cage. She won the Funniest or Most Outrageous category.
