Historical Fashion To Mark 150 Years Of Cooktown Races

Cooktown, 9 August 2024 – This year’s Cooktown Races will feature a distinct twist as the event celebrates its 150th anniversary with a newly announced Heritage Fashions on the Field category. This addition promises to showcase the evolution of race day fashion, highlighting styles from the event’s rich history.

While the spotlight traditionally shines on thoroughbred performances, fashion has long played a significant role in the Cooktown Races, a tradition spanning a century and a half. To honor this legacy, the 150th Cooktown Races will see both locals and visitors donning vintage attire when the barriers open on November 9.

Spectators can expect to see antique lace, high-neck collars, wide-brimmed hats, and intricately embroidered parasols, evoking the elegance and sophistication of past decades.

“As we celebrate 150 years of the Cooktown Races, it’s important to recognize how fashion has evolved alongside this event,” said event coordinator Katrina Lewis. “The Heritage Fashions on the Field category invites participants to showcase outfits inspired by the attire of past eras, from the elegant Victorian-era dresses to the bold and colorful styles of the mid-20th century.”

Lewis added, “We’re excited to see representations of the swinging 60s and the iconic hair of the 80s. We cannot wait to see who wears what on the day.”

This celebration of historical fashion not only pays tribute to the past but also highlights the timeless intersection of style and sport that has been a hallmark of the Cooktown Races for 150 years.