Let’s face it, in the end it’s all about the hats.
More than 400 smartly dressed people joined Sumter County Sheriff Bill Farmer for his Derby Day event, a benefit for the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranch, at The Villages Polo Fields.
The hats worn by the women were a blaze of red and black feathers, roses, spring flowers and birds. The real show stopper was a hat worn by Village of Osceola Hills resident Kathie Fischetti. In addition to the other attractions on her hat, she had fan-folded 250 individual $1 bills and intricately placed them throughout her hat. Her sister and Kentucky resident Sharon Lobel followed suit with the red and black theme.
“We come every year for this event. It is a great party and the money goes to such a good cause,” said Lobel.
People went in different directions to find the materials for their hat.
Jill Scott, attending the event with 30 members of the Hacienda South Women’s Club, found what she needed at the Dollar Tree and a party store.
“All together I think my hat cost less than five dollars,” said Scott.
Putting together a hat sent Patricia Manno to the attic to rummage through Christmas decorations.
Woodbury resident Eileen Smith’s hat had a sentimental connection. She worked as a horse exerciser at the stable that was home to 1975 Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure. Her hat was adorned with one of Foolish Pleasure’s saddle towels and one of his horse shoes. She and her husband, Peter, met while both were horse exercisers in South Carolina.
“That was a lifetime ago,” said Eileen. “We love the Kentucky Derby. I tape all the coverage for days leading up to the race.”
A group of Villagers with a Connecticut connection got together and had a decorating party to make their hats. Beverly Gibbons really got into it with loads of feathers and a cardinal perched on the back of her hat.
“We had a good time,” said Gibbons who was attending Derby Day for the first time. “I wanted to do something for the Kentucky Derby. I saw this event advertised and where the donation goes to was a big reason we decided to come out this year.”
This was the third annual Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Derby Day. The event thus far, not including the 2018 proceeds, has raised more than $40,000 for the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranch.