Amelia Thurkettle, Carmel Brown and Wendy Brown back in 2016.
It will be a fantastic showcase of racing and fashions on Saturday as Harden District Picnic Race Club prepares to host a bumper six-race meeting. With racing returning for the first time since 2019, there will be bar and food stalls in operation, TAB, Sky Channel, bookmakers, and live entertainment, with DJ Live laying down some beats from 4:00pm onwards. The day then turns into night, with The Mighty Yak set to have racing fans dancing their way into the VIP After Party.
Still, the rich Bendigo Bank Fashions on the Field will be headlining action off the track. Kicking off at 3 pm, there will be $2500 in cash to be won on the day, meaning some fabulous frocks, fascinators, and suits will be on display. In the main event, Lady of the Day will take home $850, Couple and Gent of the Day will take home $500 each, the best Millinery piece will win $450, and Junior of the Day Male/Female will each win $100. While offering cash prizes instead of vouchers and gifts is a change-up to the norm, it was a plan by the club in a bid to attract more fashionistas while taking the pressure off local businesses. 
“It was a really conscious effort by the committee, as we are wary about how many local businesses get hit up for sponsorship,” Fashions on the Field organiser Penny Lucas said. “One of our sponsorship plugs was that we wanted one sole sponsor for fashions, and Bendigo Bank came on board, and they have been absolutely amazing. They were keen, and they have been involved and are very invested in the day, and we are grateful for their support. “We’re really hoping they might stay on, and we’ve asked them to provide a judge, and one of our silver sponsors will provide a judge, and one is a male judge and one a female, which is a nice thing.”
There will be guidelines, with competitors expected to dress appropriately for the weather on the day while following seasonal trends and wearing matching accessories that complement outfits. Still, it will be good fun for those involved, and the stage always attracts a big crowd of men, women, and children cheering and jeering their friends on. “I think it probably embraces all ages, and it adds to the day,” Lucas said.
“We’ve got juniors up to lady and gent of the day, and fashions add a layer to the meeting, especially if you are not interested in horse racing; plus, it attracts the youth and pumps it up and makes it a friendly and fun day. “On top of everything’ we’ve got a jumping castle and ice cream van coming, and we try and promote it as a day out for families, and the fashions just bring so much colour.” On track, it’s expected to be a very good day of racing, with over 50 horses nominated to race, while headlining the meeting is the $10,000 Harden Picnic Cup (1400m). Luck has not been with Harden in the past couple of years, as their annual picnic meeting has been washed out every year since 2019, with the pandemic and wet weather taking its toll – but not this year.
Harden District Picnic Race Club President Nathan Schofield believes Harden’s ‘social event of the year’ will attract a big crowd, with his committee planning an event that will cater for all walks of life. “This is the biggest and best event on Harden’s social calendar,” Schofield said. “The meeting is well-supported by visitors from all over the state with some superb country hospitality assured. “It is a family-friendly event with rides, amusements and multiple food and drinks outlets available. “The Fashions on Field is sponsored by Bendigo Bank and carries $2500 in cash prizes, and marquee bookings are still available. “We will have DJ Liv ‘releasing the sounds’ on course between 4 pm and 7 pm. “And then there’s a VIP event commencing at 7 pm with music by Wagga band The Mighty Yak, which is strictly for over 18s. “We’ll have ATM and Eftpos facilities available on course with a TAB along with Sky Channel and local and interstate bookmakers. 
“Gates open at 11 am with a six-event race card, and the first race jumps around 1 pm. “There is also a courtesy bus operating to and from the racecourse, but strictly no BYO. Racegoers can visit Eventbrite.com.au for ticketing.” As always, the Twin Town Times will be on hand taking photos, and readers can check back next week to read all about the day. For punters, they can turn to the back of today’s paper, with our sport’s team previewing the Harden Picnic Cup. 
