The last major event to be held on the First Coast before the Covid-19 pandemic hit is holding off on being held again.
The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, typically held in early March, will be moved to May 20 to 23, the organizers of the classic car show said Monday.
“At the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Foundation made a promise to put the safety of our spectators, volunteers, entrants, judges, vendors, sponsors, staff and board of directors first,” Councours founder Bill Warner said in a statement. “Every day since, our team has consulted experts, followed local and national developments and weighed our options. “
As the team looked at the benchmarks it had set for holding the event, the spread of the disease — and the rolling out of a vaccine — made organizers opt for waiting a few months, said spokesman Chris Brewer.
“The vast majority of folks we’ve spoken with are excited about the change, are happy about the change,” he said. “They think it will be a better opportunity to have a vibrant event, like we normally do.”
Still, changes might be made to the event, although nothing has been nailed down.
“I’m sure there will be differences between our 25th and 26th show,” Brewer said. “We hope it is a much more normal show.”
Last year, thousands of car aficionados showed up for the March 5 to 8 event, which celebrated its 25th anniversary. The following weekend, the Players Championship was cancelled as the nation began adapting to the novel coronavirus.
Moving the event this year is planned as just a temporary change, Brewer said: “We really do enjoy our March dates.”
Now in its third decade, the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance is among the top automotive events in the world.
Held the first full weekend in March, "The Amelia" draws more than 300 rare vehicles from collections around the world to
The Golf Club of Amelia Island, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island for a celebration of the automobile like no other.
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2018 The Shop at the Concours 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Santa Maria 1 RM Sotheby's Amelia Island Sale Preview 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. The Ritz-Carlton Ballroom, Ocean Front Lawn & Courtyard For more information: www.rmsothebys.com or call (800) 211-4371 or (519) 352-4575 Open to Public The Amelia Island Concours Silent Auction 3:00 p.m. – 6 p.m. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island Plaza 1 Guardians of Porsche Wine Maker’s Dinner 6:30 p.m. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Talbot Ballroom $325 per person. Reservations required: www.ameliaconcours.org FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2018 The Porsche Driving Experience 7 a.m. Departs from the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport. Driver’s meeting at 7 a.m. Activities to include a spirited ride with a professional driver and an entrant participation autocross. $250 per car (2 people included). Open to the Public – Reservations Required: www.ameliaconcours.org *Ownership of a Porsche is not required. Must be 21 years of age to participate. Reliable Carriers Eight Flags Road Tour 8:30 a.m. Departs from The Ritz-Carlton main driveway. The tour stops at various points on and around Amelia Island and concludes with a public display and lunch in downtown Fernandina Beach. Open to Concours Registered Vehicles Only The Shop at the Concours 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Santa Maria 1 Test Drives – Various Manufacturers 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Ritz-Carlton & The Golf Club of Amelia Island, Front Driveway Complimentary Automobilia and Luxury Lifestyle Merchants 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island Open to Public RM Sotheby's Amelia Island Sale Preview 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Ritz-Carlton Ballroom, Ocean Front Lawn & Courtyard For more information: www.rmsothebys.com or call (800) 211-4371 or (519) 352-4575 Open to Public The Amelia Island Concours Silent Auction 10:00 a.m. – 6 p.m. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island Plaza 1 TDC / AIG Range of the Jaguar Special Tour 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. An invitation only tour for Jaguar's to the Jacksonville Zoo and private tour of The Range of the Jaguar By Invitation Only Book Signings Various times throughout the day The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island Talbot Pre-Function Watts Next……Design Challenges of the Electric Car 3 p.m. Stewart Reed, Chair Transportation Design Department, Art Center College of Design hosts a seminar to include: Alfonso Albaisa, Senior Vice President, Global Design, Nissan Motor Co.; Moray Callum, VP of Design, Ford Motor Company; Ralph Gilles, VP of Design, FCA; Grant Larson, Exterior Design, Porsche; Michael Simcoe, VP Global Design, GM; Gorden Wagener, Mercedes-Benz The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Talbot Ballroom $35 per person –Tickets can be purchased online www.ameliaconcours.org or at the door on the day of the event. Open to the Public. Limited Seating. Poster signing follows seminar RM Sotheby’s Cocktail Reception 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. The Ritz-Carlton Ballroom. Admission is for registered bidders, consignors and qualified media only; For more information: www.rmsothebys.com or call 800-211-4371 / 519-352-4575 RM Sotheby’s A Gentleman’s Collection 5 p.m. The Ritz-Carlton Ballroom. Admission is for registered bidders, consignors and qualified media only; For more information: www.rmsothebys.com or call 800-211-4371 / 519-352-4575 .
Tons of great pictures by Clark Daily: http://s801.photobucket.com/user/cdaily_album/slideshow/Amelia Island 2018