If you are a hat fan, you are in luck.

The annual Midcoast Altered Couture Contest, which starts at 6 p.m. May 4 at the Frontier Café in Fort Andross, will feature hats this year.

Altered Couture competition director Christine DeTroy said that this year’s hat theme “gets its inspiration from the Kentucky Derby.” The date for the fashion show competition is the eve of the legendary horse race known for its uninterrupted tradition of ladies wearing hats.

To add to the flavor and fun, the Midcoast Altered Couture Fashion Show audience is encouraged to wear hats and the Frontier Café will make mint julep specials available for purchase.

Just in case your French is rusty, “Altered Couture” refers to a current trend in fashion design in which an existing garment or accessory (think hats, shoes, bags, gloves, legwear or jewelry) is changed, embellished or made different in some way.

Competitors in the Midcoast Altered Couture Competition are only allowed to spend $40 on materials for their hat creations, and these materials must be purchased from secondhand or thrift shops. Some “freebie” or found recycled objects are sometimes allowed.

“It is all about combining a recycling ethic with great fashion design and imagination,” DeTroy said. “And the hat must be wearable.”

Competitors are being understandably cagey about revealing details of hats in progress prior to the competition. However, a quick survey revealed that inspirations for the hat creations range from Dr. Seuss to Lady Gaga.

A panel of five will judge the hat entries as they walk down the runway on models during the live fashion show. Judging this year’s top tops will be Krank Sturgeon, Gary Lawless, Kate Pelletier, Kate Doughty and Jim Shephard.

If you are a secret hat diva or just need a chance to channel your inner southern belle with mint juleps and a fashion show, break out one of the fabulous hats that normally live in your closet and help support ArtVan.

Or if you are hat-deprived, stop by Queen of Hats in Portland, one of Maine’s premier hat purveyors and the 2012 sponsor of the second annual Midcoast Altered Couture Competition. Opportunities to see and wear outrageous hats are rare in Maine. Don’t miss this one.

Admission costs $7 in advance and $10 on show day. Tickets are available by calling 725-5222.

First held in June 2011, this competitive fashion show benefits ArtVan, a local, nonprofit mobile arts therapy program.