As a first year attendee of the Queen’s Plate at Woodbine Racetrack right outside of Toronto, Ontario, I can’t say that I was disappointed in the least. I have 
been a fan of what Woodbine has promoted the past two years with the Hats and Horseshoes Party. It is the perfect example of what a racetrack can do not only to increase attendance, but also to increase the effort that attendees put into their outfits for the day.
From start to finish, everyone was such a joy to be around, from the professionals at the track to the everyday attendees. When we first arrived, the main entrance of Woodbine was definitely a site to take in. After we got our excitement together, looking to my left I saw the walking ring. It was interesting to take in as it almost seemed off-track. However, the walking ring was surrounded by the Hats and Horseshoes Party with tables and chairs, a main stage with a band, a red carpet for stylish attendees to get their picture taken and David Dunkley’s tent which was the temporary housing to so many beautiful millinery pieces. If you kept walking around the back of the walking ring, you passed colorful food trucks with the tempting and amazing aromas of the food being cooked inside. Passing all those (reluctantly) led me to the most stylish party in Toronto at the VIP Flare Magazine Tent. 
If you weren’t invited to the party…you wanted to be! A fabulous greed hedge with the FLARE name built in, had everyone stopping to get their picture taken. Although it was a ‘private party,’ the best thing about it was many stylish attendees were invited from the Hats and Horseshoes area just because of their racing fashion! See ladies- you dressing up at the races will always pay off! The area had a D.J. pumping some fun house music with TV’s on each wall to let you enjoy the races just the same. A gorgeous white bar housed Grey Goose and Champs along with the official drink of the
Queen’s Plate, the Blue Diamond. Delicious finger foods were brought around to keep your tummy happy but you still free to socialize. After you got your dance party on and had a few sips of your cocktail, you could get your hair done by the girls at the Pixii Salon. Forgot your fascinator? That’s okay- you could make one or have one made with flowers and a headband! Last but certainly not least, why not get your nails touched up by Cheeky Monkey Cosmetics! Even if you didn’t want your nails done, it was worth checking out the different names of their nail polish! (“Camel Toe” was one of them-just saying) 
Betting stations within the tent allowed you to enjoy a day at the races outside of the grandstand. You could pick out your horses in the paddock, make a wager, be pampered, dance, drink, and just have a fabulous time! Racetracks in the U.S. need to talk note! (We may have to move to Woodbine otherwise 😉
Of course we need to put some focus on the race itself and Congratulate owner Gary Barber and all connections including trainer Mark Casse of the fabulous winning LADY of the Queen’s Plate. Lexie Lou took on the boys and showed them who’s boss and took home the biggest prize on the day…in pink silks we might add! Congratulations! 
Thank you to all the people at Woodbine who created such a fantastic event. From the band, to the food trucks, to the FLARE Party tent-it was the perfect fashionable day at the races. Don’t forget about the George Brown Millinery Competition.
