First-time Ladies Hat Day participant Jean Zamzow, of Clarion, Pennsylvania, said she created her prop-driven airplane model in honor of her boyfriend who is temporarily stationed here with Cal Fire.

These Ladies Hat Day participants created a memorial poster for their friend, Ceva McWhorter, of Fortuna, who died April 11, 2022. McWhorter was a long-time participant in the Ladies Hat Day event.

This year's Grand Prize trophy winner was Carolyn Polasek (center front), of Ferndale, who lined up for photos with other prize recipients (including Team Fungi on the right for Best Couple or Group), event organizers and emcee Rex Bohn.

Stylish hats and fancy dresses were the order of the day for many attendees at Ladies Hat Day, including Juli Luna, of Loleta.

Christine Tyson and Michael Tyson, both of Eureka, mugged for photos at the free Forget Me Not Photo Booth, while being photobombed by booth owner Kacy Curtis, of Eureka.

Eventual Grand Prize winner Carolyn Polasek, of Ferndale, stopped by the free photo booth to document her delicious looking hat.

Karen Isbell, of Auburn, was back this year with yet another hat entry for best Best Racing Theme.

Relaxing in the grandstands out of the hot sun were Marietta Christensen (left), of Loleta, Julie Chenoweth, of Ferndale, and Tyra Sherman, of Las Vegas.

Participants in the Ladies Hat Day contest, including Betty Mack (right front), of Fortuna, and Shannon Cortez, of Fortuna, lined up on the dirt racetrack after the fifth race under the guidance of organizer Cindy Olson and emcee Rex Bohn.

Kim Hackett, of Carlotta, checked in with her creative beekeeping-hat adaptation.

Ladies Hat Day participant Juliann Stell, of Arcata, said she had the flower-print dress already in hand but created her own flower hat arrangement for the event.

Another stylish hat wearer in the grandstand boxes (Shannon Cortez, of Fortuna) enjoyed a conversation in the grandstands during a break in the racing action.

My first guess of the occupation of Molly Bongio, of Eureka, based on her hat proved to be correct; she teaches first grade at Washington School.

Megan Nims (center) organized her children Teddy (dinosaur-themed hat) and Margot (bubble-gum machine hat) into an eventual win in the Best Youth (12 & under) prize category.

Johanna Nagan, of Arcata, struck a pose with her prizes after being chosen as one of the winners in the Ladies Hat Day contest.

This year's Grand Prize trophy winner was Carolyn Polasek, of Ferndale, for her inventive, hand-made, massive display of Fair food items on her broad-brimmed hat.

A view of the "tasteful" Ladies Hat Day Grand Prize-winning art work by Carolyn Polasek.

After the awards ceremony, Margot and Teddy Nims enjoyed the prize money for winning the Best Youth (12 and under) category.