HOLMDEL – Automobile collectors and enthusiasts from the region and beyond will gather Saturday, Oct. 6, for the Monmouth County Concours d’Elegance special charity event featuring a display of 135 antique automobiles.
All proceeds will benefit Horizons of New Jersey’s summer academic and recreational enrichment programs for kids living in low-income circumstances in Red Bank, Long Branch and Newark. For the more than 200 Horizons “campers” in K-8 grade, the funds mean another six weeks of reading, math, science, creative arts, swimming lessons, plus two healthy meals a day next summer and an opportunity to excel in school.
The show field opens to visitors at 10 a.m. After the public showing, the event culminates with the Concours Fashion Show, beginning at 1 p.m., and the Grande Parade of Concours Winners at 2:30 p.m.
The Monmouth County Concours d’Elegance is an occasion unlike any other in the state. Set on picturesque Hop Brook Farm amidst neatly rowed cornfields and an 18th century farmhouse, the event features an exhibition of pristine motorcars from 1900 – 1969, including notable automobiles such as Duesenbergs, Packards, Lincolns, Cadillacs and Mercedes Benz. From hundreds of entries, the finest automobiles are carefully chosen based on elegance, style and overall beauty.
The automobiles are only part of the story according to Jeff Cruz, founder and chairman of the event. Since its beginning in 2008, the Monmouth Concours has raised more than $300,000 for local charities.
“There is no doubt we could run a Concours on the merits of the automobiles alone. But the charitable aspect gives the event a greater purpose. From the onset, the committee wanted to serve the greater good,” he said.
The Monmouth County Concours d’Elegance is open to the public and is a family event. In addition to the display of vintage automobiles, there will be a food court and fall fashion show featuring Cocotay and NorthShore of Sea Bright and Pitti Bimi/Antix of Deal.
The $10 admission fee is a tax-deductible donation to Horizons NJ. Children ages 10 and under are admitted free. Parking is provided at no cost courtesy of Vonage.
For more information, please visit MonmouthCounty Concours.com. To learn more about Horizons, please visit www.horizonsnational.org/nj.