On Saturday Parkes Showground was a sea of tents and hats as almost three thousand people gathered for the annual Parkes Picnic Races, sponsored by SCU. Winner of the Coradgery Cup was local horse ‘To the Coast and Back’, but for those who weren’t having much luck punting one of the highlights of the day was Fashions on the Field. Such was the calibre of the outfits judges Natalie Caldwell, Wilbur Harris and Laura Redden faced tough choices on deciding the winners of categories.
With the help of advisors Ann Olsen and Natalie Johnston, the following winners were announced. Cooper Wright and Grace Dwyer Mulligan won Junior, Mackenzie Baker and Zachary Worthington won Teenager, Len Parish was crowned Best Dressed Gent, Tim and Emma Ellis were Most Stylish Couple, Catherine Sly took out Cutting Edge, Deb Parish came out on top in Millinery and Casey Evans was sashed as Most Elegant Lady.
Casey attends the races every year, but decided to enter the Fashions on the Field for the first time this year. She was announced “most poised and graceful contestant” by the judges for her ensemble in black. Her headpiece, made from felt and leather, was designed by herself and her business partner Leanne Wright who together own Racey Designs.
The rest of her outfit was put together from bits and pieces she’d found. “I didn’t have a clear picture in my head of what I wanted to wear, and was freaking out the night before!” she said; “There were so many beautiful modern fashions on display at the race, I wish I could own them all.”
Michael Oakley, major sponsor SCU’s Branch Manager, said; “It was a lovely day and the race committee are to be commended for the effort they put in to pull it together.”