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Kentucky Hat Makers Accessorize With Masks For Upcoming Derby

NOEL KING, HOST:

The Kentucky Derby happens tomorrow in Louisville, Ky., after being postponed back in May. There will be no spectators at Churchill Downs, but that won't stop TV viewers from getting dressed up. And the famed derby hats are getting a 2020 upgrade.

HELEN OVERFIELD: I'm actually including a disposable surgical mask with each hat that I'm shipping.

KING: That's Helen Overfield. She owns Hats Off by Helen. She's been making hats for over 30 years. Some people are coordinating their masks with their hats.

RACHEL BELL: We did all solid-color masks, so it just basically compliments your hat and your outfit and doesn't take away from it.

KING: Rachel Bell runs The Hat Girls. They've partnered with a bow tie-making company called Pique Ties (ph) for the masks that go with their hats. And while people can find fancier, more elaborate masks from other hat-makers around town, here's what Bell says.

BELL: It needs to be functional. You're going to be drinking and eating all day. I think we knew that we would want to wear a mask that was functional, so we went the route of keeping it simple.

KING: So they've got all of you covered for the fastest two minutes in sports. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.