The Louisville Concours d'Elegance

The inaugural Louisville Concours d’Elegance was held on October 4 & 5, 2008 at Historic Churchill Downs. Over 200 of the rarest, most elegant automobiles in the country were brought to Louisville for display and competition.

 

For more than a year, a small group of Brooklawn volunteers have been working to produce the event with two goals in mind - raise money and raise awareness of Brooklawn, it's programs and services to emotionally troubled children.

The weekend began on Saturday with over 400 people gathering in the Paddock of Churchill Downs for a cocktail reception. Five multi-million dollar cars were placed on display and guests enjoyed a bourbon tasting, silent auction and were treated to six of the most historic Kentucky Derby races on the Churchill Downs Jumbotron.

At 8 PM, the Churchill Downs bugler played his famous “Call to the Post” which signaled everyone to Millionaire’s Row for a plated dinner and live auction.

On Sunday, the infield of Churchill Downs was the site of the Competition of Elegance, featuring rare, vintage and even some of the newest cars from more than 25 states. More than 3,000 spectators attended this first-ever show.

Volunteers are already hard at work planning next year's Concours d'Elegance, which will take place on October 3-4, 2009.

To see some of the wonderful cars that came to Louisville in support of Brooklawn, go to the Concours website at www.concourslouisville.com.

More than 100 volunteers (the bulk of which came from UPS) also helped make this first-ever event a grand success. To those who took time away from their families and friends - Brooklawn thanks you!

If you would like to be part of the Concours, call Jim Mahanes 515-0466, or e-mail jmahanes@brooklawn.net.