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The Best (And Biggest) Hats at the 2018 Kentucky Derby

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The annual Run for the Roses has traditionally included a side sport—call it The Poses of Roses (or whatever bright flowers adorn the fascinators and fedoras at Churchill Downs).

Each year, celebrities and other horse racing fans arrive in their Saturday Best to show off vibrant dresses, colorful sport jackets, and of course dazzling hats. (Many of which make viewing the actual Kentucky Derby a little difficult if you're directly behind them.)

Given that roses are the official flower of the Derby—the winner is draped in a blanket of them at the end of the race—rose-colored or festooned hats bloom each year at Churchill Downs. The stands and the infield are always awash in festive red, pink and white hats covered with roses, or sometimes one giant bloom.

But the whole garden is usually represented on Derby Day. Since roses are the obvious choice, some racing fans choose other flowers to show their petal mettle.

Of course, flowers aren't the only way to decorate a hat at Churchill Downs—colorful feathers are a popular choice and tulle, silk and other light fabrics are always in fashion.

Some Derby Day attendees get creative with their themes. Because the 144th running of the race falls on Cinco de Mayo, some attendees wore sombreros to honor both occasions. While others commemorated the day with horses, horseshoes, and other equine talismans.

And then there are attendees who clearly got in the spirit of the day with a festive hat that's obviously eye-catching even if the theme seemed a little off—like rice. Perhaps she thought it was the Super Bowl?

The Bowler: A hat celebrating the Run of the Rices.