Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com

The 2024 Ferndale Races got under way this past weekend as part of the Humboldt County Fair, with eight days of racing action scheduled over three weekends.

And this year’s racing will, as always, include the ever-popular “Ladies Hat Day At The Races.”

The hat day, which according to Fair officials has become “one of the biggest events of the Humboldt County Fair,” will take place this coming Saturday.

The 12th annual Ladies Hat Day — originated and still orchestrated by Cindy Olsen — is once again expected to draw a huge turnout of ladies, attired in an array of spectacular hats and colorful outfits.

The hat day and the second Saturday of the horse races has traditionally produced the biggest crowds at the Humboldt Fair.

Olsen will be assisted by the Ferndale Jockey Club, and the Ladies Hat Day event will be sponsored by Redwood Capital Bank.

Contestants will be competing for cash prizes and other awards in various “Hatagories.”

The always popular “parade of hats” will be staged in front of the grandstand on the race track after that afternoon’s fifth race. 

Winners will be announced after the sixth race.

The grand prize People’s Choice winner will receive a $2,000 cash voucher, champagne, flowers and a special trophy. 

In addition, the champion woman or ladies group will be featured on next year’s Ladies Hat Day contest poster.

And similar to last year, applause from the fans in the grandstand and area surrounding the winners’ circle will decide the champion based on a special applause meter.

The overall runner-up will receive a $1,000 cash voucher and bottle of champagne.

Third, fourth and fifth place winners will each earn $150 cash vouchers. 

In addition, there will be three “honorable mention” winners who will each receive $100 cash vouchers.

The “Hatagories” include: Most Glamorous, Most Original, Best Racing Theme, Funniest or Most Outrageous and Best Couple/Group. Those category winners will vie for the People’s Choice Award.

Sign-ups for the Ladies Hat Contest can be made at a tent inside the race track entrance starting at 2 p.m. and will be open until the start of the fourth race. 

There will also be a “Forget Me Not” booth in the grandstand where contestants can take free photos throughout the day.

Jim Morgan will serve as Master of Ceremonies. 

And in hand with the event’s tradition, The Burleyman (from Cool105.5 FM) will provide music between races.