The Steeplechase

One of our favorite spring traditions is to attend the Block House Steeplechase running in Tryon, North Carolina.

This event ushers in spring with picnics, sundresses, elegant hats, and tailgating as we view the thoroughbreds thundering past striving for a win. The day started out quite cool, so I am wearing a sweater poncho here. As the afternoon progressed, the sun warmed us enough to shed the layers. Our parking space partners were the most charming people! We loved visiting with them and hope to continue our new friendships for many years.

At the beginning of the festivities, there is a hat contest to award a prize to the most appropriate hat, the funniest hat, and the best kid's hat. 

Here I am in the hat parade wearing the white dress I told you about earlier. (I did not win, but it certainly was fun!)

  

Here are some of the other contestants in their lovely hats.

The Block House is the longest-running steeplechase in the state of North Carolina, occurring continuously since 1947. Crowds of 18,000 to 20,000 attend the Block House Races annually. 

This 1949 Bentley was in the space in front of us. The owner is the fellow standing behind the car. He told us that his father bought the car new and that his grandchildren are the fifth generation to ride in the car. He drives it regularly.

We always stay at the 1906 Pinecrest Inn. This is later in the day at the gazebo in the lower gardens on the Inn's property. We are on our way to cocktails on the terrace, so I have switched to a more subdued animal print ribbon trimmed straw hat for the afternoon. When wearing a hat, I wear few other accessories. The effect can be quite matronly if you add large earrings, a necklace, and glasses. The soft white knit dress is from Stein Mart.

Later in the evening, I wore another red knit dress from Stein Mart to dinner. This is a record for me... bare legs with a dress twice in one day! Normally I would not be so daring, but it is my vacation after all.

The next morning, I wore this wonderful fuchsia blouse, which was a gift from Foxcroft. I paired it with khaki Capri pants from Talbots and Kenneth Cole Reaction sandals via T.J. Maxx. This Foxcroft blouse will be one of my spring favorites! You will see it often. It is the softest non-iron fabric I have ever worn. Normally no iron blouses are too stiff to be comfortable. This one flows across the body in a perfect drape.