FOR RELEASE
Keeneland Concours d'Elegance Benefits Kentucky Children’s Hospital
LEXINGTON, KY (April 28, 2009) –The sixth annual Keeneland Concours d’Elegance, benefitting Kentucky Children's Hospital, will be held July 16-19, 2009 at Keeneland Race Course, event organizers announced today. “It is our hope and our goal that the Concours d’Elegance provides everyone with a unique experience—a mix of art, flair, design, sounds and—of course—a cause,” said event chairman Tom Jones during a press conference held at the Mansion at Griffin Gate in Lexington. “There are many reasons to be excited about the 2009 Concours, and we are looking forward to hosting another outstanding weekend in the Bluegrass. It’s a delight to enjoy your passion and be able to do good works for the community, especially the Kentucky Children’s Hospital. The people at Kentucky Children's Hospital who make that happen day in and day out are the real heroes in this grand scheme of things.” This year's event will feature the British Morgan as the guest marque, in celebration of its 100 years. The Morgan Motor Company was founded in 1909 by H.F.S. Morgan and was run by him until 1959. Peter Morgan, son of H.F.S., ran the company until a few years before his death in 2003. Morgan is based in Malvern Link, an area of Malvern, Worcestershire, England. All the cars are assembled by hand. The sixth annual Concours d’ Elegance will offer thousands of car enthusiasts from across the nation the opportunity to enjoy these exotic Concours automobiles as well as many automotive special displays, hundreds of cars in the car club paddock, automotive art and a day that showcases “all things Kentucky.” “We are so pleased to be able to bring this event to the Bluegrass,” said event co-chair Connie Jones. “It has proven to be a fun and exciting weekend for all ages. Even children love the classic automobiles. It has been our goal for the last five years to raise funds for the Kentucky Children’s Hospital, a very important and needed organization across Kentucky. It also is important to Tom and me to showcase our beautiful state.” A $50,000 gift, made possible by funds raised during last year's Concours, was presented to Kentucky Children’s Hospital during the press conference. “The Concours board and their many supporters are extraordinary professionals and community leaders who make great contributions to the Bluegrass State in their daily work,” said Dr. Tim Bricker, professor and chairman of pediatrics, UK College of Medicine, and physician-in-chief of Kentucky Children’s Hospital.” In addition to those responsibilities, they put their skills and energy together to organize and run the Keeneland Concours. The energy and drive of the board and supporters comes from their dedication to this community and our Kentucky Children’s Hospital. We are honored to have their support.” In 2006, the Keeneland Concours d’Elegance Board and Kentucky Children’s Hospital joined together to create an endowment for neonatal research. Dr. Henrietta Bada, professor of pediatrics, UK College of Medicine, and chief of the division of neonatology at Kentucky Children’s Hospital, leads the endowment research. Historically, Concours d’Elegance, or “a gathering of elegance,” originated in Paris during the 1920s. The Concours quickly became not only an event for automobile manufacturers to parade the latest edition of extravagant automobiles, but also a spot for fashion designers to showcase the latest styles. The Keeneland Concours d’Elegance is pleased to bring this tradition to Kentucky in celebration of the automobile.
While the highlight of this four-day event is best known for the Saturday Concours d’Elegance and its magnificent display of automobiles, additional events and activities provide visitors and participants a taste of Kentucky's art, culture and elegance. Event activities include: Bourbon Tour (Thursday, July 16) An exclusive tour of a renowned distillery conducted by the master distiller will feature bourbon sampling from selected barrels. The catered lunch and round-table discussion with the experts will give participants inside information about the history and production of Kentucky's favorite libation. Registration is limited. Black Tie Gala (Friday, July 17) "James Bond" themed black tie gala held in the private dining rooms of Keeneland Race Course overlooking the historic track and paddock. The gala includes a cocktail reception, fine dining and dancing to the Jay Flippin Orchestra. $200 per person. 6:30 p.m. to midnight. Keeneland Concours d'Elegance (Saturday, July 18) Featuring Concours automobiles, the British Morgan as the guest marque, special automotive exhibits, plus hundreds of cars in the Car Club Paddock. Also included will be automotive art and a silent auction. $15/person, under 12 free. $10 for collector's event program. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Awards presentation is at 3 p.m. Hangar Bash (Saturday evening, July 18) Presented by Porsche of Lexington to be held at Air 51, Bluegrass Airfield, from 7 to 11p.m. Casual setting for food, drink and music. Concours automobiles share the spotlight with modern and vintage planes. $25/person. Tour d’Elegance (Sunday, July 19) Begins at Keeneland Race Course at 9 a.m. The ever-popular tour features a 75-mile excursion through the beautiful Bluegrass featuring two covered bridges, a drive through the 1,500 acre Gainesway Farm and ends with a catered lunch at Spindletop Hall. $200/car with 2 people; $75/extra passenger. For more information on the Keeneland Concours d’Elegance, please visit www.keenelandcours.com or call (859) 422-3329. |