Music was in the air as a sea of colorful hats bobbed along Palm Beach’s historic shopping street during the Worth Avenue Association’s annual Kentucky Derby party.
The May 2 event saw attendees sport hats ranging from the elegant to the whimsical as they enjoyed drinks and light bites while visiting participating stores.
Each retailer marked the day with special offers and treats, like Buru’s 10% discount on merchandise and complimentary champaign, macaroons and cheese straws.
Morgenthal Frederics offered shoppers cupcakes and prosecco while they browsed the company’s luxury eyewear.
Attendees who filled their shopping “passport” by visiting every participating retailer had the chance to prizes from Avenue merchants during the party’s raffle.
Those wanting to upgrade their derby outfit checked out the personal Kentucky Derby Hat Stylist at Marina St Barth.
The vibrant derby hats took center stage at the party’s climax — the fashion show and hat contest in Via Mizner. Participants strutted the runway at the iconic courtyard.
Among the contest winners was Maria Colluci, who matched the trim on her hat to the dress she was wearing — brown with white polka dots. Adorning the hat were white flowers complemented by ostrich feathers that featured a brown-to-white gradient hue.
Also sharing prizes were mother-daughter duo Blanche Ginsberg and Beth Fishel, sporting extravagant hats crafted by Ginsberg.
Diego Diaz Lasa is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at dlasa@pbdailynews.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: It was hats on, at the Worth Avenue Kentucky Derby party in Palm Beach
Reporting by Diego Diaz Lasa, Palm Beach Daily News / Palm Beach Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
