The Amelia at 30: Why the annual car classic is important to Northeast Florida
The Amelia Concours d`Elegance is a "week of captivating motorsport and luxury lifestyle experiences," said Matt Orendac, vice chairman of The Amelia. About 500,000 spectators have attended the driving opportunities, auctions, culinary and entertainment experiences at Amelia Island for its annual concours event over the last 30 years.
Enthusiasts and organizers are expecting a high turnout and fun times for The Amelia's 30th anniversary this weekend. Ordenac spoke in detail about plans for this year's event and what its past 30 years of contributions to Northeast Florida's culture have been like.
"The world is just crazy about cars, motorsports and design," Ordenac said. "There's just no better time or place to kick off the 'concours' car show season than Northeast Florida. The show really puts spectators elbow-to-elbow with the racers they love, the cars they dream of and thousands of fellow enthusiasts."
This includes vintage race cars on display and at auction. Not to mention the fact that The Amelia's yearly honorees are all motorsport legends.
"The Amelia has always been considered 'The Racer's Concours.' The event's connection to the world of motorsport has always been at the core of all we do," he said.
More March fun: Players, Monster Jam, Concours, Florida Games and more to do in March around Jacksonville
Last year, over 27,000 enthusiasts from around the world attended The Amelia festivities, setting a record for the event. Guests come from over 12 countries and 30 states.
"The Amelia has had a lasting impact on the community over the past three decades in many ways, including charitable contributions totaling more than $4 million," Orendac said. "Last year alone, The Amelia pledged $150,000 to local nonprofits, including Spina Bifida of Jacksonville, local 'Shop with Cops' programs and Community Hospice and Palliative Care."
The impact can be felt through the community and camaraderie that has grown annually, he added. It also results in an annual economic impact of around $8.7 million.
This year's honoree is Hélio Castroneves, four-time Indy 500 champion, who also recently raced in the Daytona 500. Helio will be at The Amelia alongside some of the most important cars from his career.
The impact of the event also can be measured by the cars sold during the classic car auctions that take place, Ordenac said. Last year, the March classic car auctions in Florida set a record total of $183.8 million. Hagerty's Broad Arrow auction at the Ritz-Carlton sold more than $63 million. The economic impact of the event is widespread.
"Every truly great concours is defined by a perfect season and setting," Ordenac said. "Early Spring on Amelia Island is a beautiful time of year for car enthusiasts to join us, shake off the winter and enjoy the setting and hospitality at the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island."
"The event has grown over the years, bringing enthusiasts from around the world to experience the beauty of Amelia Island and Northeast Florida," he said.
Ordenac also noted younger collectors and enthusiasts have been joining the event.
"This reflects what we are also seeing in the overall collector car market, as 1980s and 1990s vehicles become more sought after as collectors who grew up with those vehicles begin to purchase the classics they love," he said. "To this end, RADwood continues to be a highlight at The Amelia."
RADwood is a "celebration of the '80s and '90s automotive lifestyle, a car show that blends period dress with automotive awesomeness,' according to Ordenac. RADwood at The Amelia takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at The Golf Club of Amelia Island as part of the Saturday 'Cars & Community powered by Mobil 1 Classic Car Oil' event.
Actor, race car driver and producer Patrick Dempsey is set to attend a 7 p.m. Friday screening of his docuseries "Back on Track," which will be followed by a Q&A with Justin Bell, racer Patrick Long and film producer Bobby Akin.
The new immersive culinary experience, Reverie, also will kick off this year. Reverie will feature exclusive, automotive-themed culinary pairings developed by Chef Zane Nesbit, Ritz-Carlton executive sous chef, and immersive entertainment on Thursday. Tickets for all events are available at www.ameliaconcours.com/event/tickets.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: The Amelia: What you should know about 2025 Concours d'Elegance
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Buzz Feed
2 days ago
- Buzz Feed
35 Bedroom Products To Make Your Love Your Space
A piece of pre-framed artwork you can just buy and hang right away. That's right — no more buying prints and thinking you'll get the frame later. The frame never comes, the prints stack up, your walls cry. These fancy prints are based on real artwork (peep the cat-ified version of Matisse's The Goldfish) so you can feel extra fancy. A glamorous set of feather-trim pajamas that look like something Dolly Parton might lounge in. They're great for bridal parties, sleepovers, and all-day lounge-fests in bed. A ribbon bookmark so the novel on your bedside table can double as charming decor. It may even convince you to finally finish Ulysses. A Kitsch satin pillowcase that'll be gentle on your hair, leave fewer creases in your face (huge win for side and stomach sleepers), and just feel nice and cool on your skin. If you're planning on spending a lot of time in bed, your pillowcase should be nice! A headboard lamp for anyone who loves the ample lighting options found in fancy hotels. Now your partner can get some shuteye while you indulge in juuuust one more chapter — OK, two. Three? Oh my god, is that sunlight? Is it dawn? Anywayyy, you can just slide this over your headboard to enjoy direct lighting when a standing or nightstand light isn't an option. A strip of LEDs that'll wrap behind your TV to help with eye strain and also just make your next Netflix long haul look really cool and movie theater-like. These are easy to apply, have 16 color options, work for 40–60-inch TVs, and they have over 5,000 happy reviews on Amazon! Buffy's Wiggle Pillow for people who love to cuddle. It can be tucked between your legs, under your lower back, or below your neck to give you some extra snuggly support. It's a little less bulky than other body pillows, and you can fold it up to lean on while chilling in bed. A lightweight lap desk if you're not quite ready to work from a desk — the call of your bed is just too strong! With the help of the wrist rest, phone holder, and built-in mouse pad, you can extend couch time indefinitely. Or a gaming/reading/laptop pillow in a convenient U shape and with a lil' side pocket for remotes, snacks, etc. This thing will be like your command center for Zoom calls, Stardew Valley sessions, and snooping on your ex on Instagram. 🤫 Pleated paper shades if you find that the sun is waking up way before you. This affordable solution is easy to apply (just trim, peel, stick) and comes with clips to raise or lower them. Now you can do some *real* snoozing. A set of wildly popular "hotel" pillows so you can feel like you're falling asleep at the Ritz. Reviewers rave that these are the perfect balance of fluffy and firm, meaning you can prop yourself up for a good in-bed TV binge. Plus, they're breathable and cooling so you won't overheat while wrapped in all those blankets. And a set of extra soft "hotel" bedsheets with so many 5-star reviews (almost 250,000!) you'd think they were capable of permanently curing insomnia. No promises, but some people are saying they never want to get out of bed. Girlfriend Collective high-rise compression leggings made from recycled water bottles, which apparently make for excellent loungewear material — everyone I know who has tried a pair is completely obsessed. If you plan on leaving your room today, you can wear these from bed to grocery store. A pair of horizontal glasses — don't laugh! — that let you read a book or watch TV while lounging in bed. Sometimes even lifting your head is an effort, you know? An affordable sunrise alarm clock you'll really appreciate when you have to wake up before the sun. The device has seven natural sounds and will gradually brighten to simulate a sunrise so you can pretend you're not waking up at an ungodly hour. A faux-sheepskin area rug ensuring the first thing your feet feel in the morning is fuzzy heaven. You can use this next to your bed, flung over a couch, or as an auxiliary pet bed. A set of three remote-control flameless flickering candles so you can pretend to be Bonnie Bennett lighting fires with *magic*. You can choose a steady glow or a flicker effect to really sell the cozy ambience as you hunker down for the rainy season. A 100% cotton Schoolhouse quilt that yes, is pricey, but unfortunately very much worth it. I got this for my birthday and OMGGG it's heaven in the summer when you need to stay cool but still want to be covered. A northern lights projector for anyone who wants to treat themself to a North Pole-style light show without having to endure arctic temperatures. It also plays soothing noises and doubles as a Bluetooth speaker! A pair of energy-efficient stained-glass lightbulbs ready to wash your home in a kaleidoscope of colors. Guests will wonder if your bedroom is in the Sagrada Familia. A wiggly table lamp to properly illuminate your amazing room and all the cool stuff in it (this light included). The wireless lamp charges with USB-C and comes with a cute linen lampshade. A cult-favorite luxury-scented candle reviewers love for its intoxicating and long-lasting smell. It has an impressive throw, meaning you can actually fill your bedroom with its calming jasmine, oud, and sandalwood scent instead of having to stick your nose right up to the flame. And a rechargeable lighter with an extra long neck so you can light candles that are getting a little long in the teeth (jar). It doesn't need lighter fluid or a flame, making it a safe and mess-free option when you're trying to set the mood. Decorative mirrors to add some extra charm to your gallery wall when you have enough rectangles and need some more unusual shapes up there. Bonus: Mirrors, no matter how small, make the bedroom look bigger! Maybe! A Vintage Bookshelf Edition of Candy Land packaged in a book-like box so it fits right in on your bedroom's bookcase. While you may not have a secret passage behind a bookcase yet, this is like, the second best bookshelf surprise I can think of. There are 12 classic games converted into "books" in this vintage collection, including Scrabble, and Clue. A heart-stoppingly adorable night-light offering a soft glow at bedtime. It comes with eight different color modes so when people come over, you can say, "oh yeah, that's just my glowing wall puppy." A shaggy faux-fur duvet cover lined with soft velvet on the bottom, so no matter what side you touch, you'll be in fuzzy heaven. The set comes with matching pom-pom pillowcases so, yes, your bed is gonna be even more inviting. A chenille tufted pillow perfect for when you're trying to enjoy some pillow fort time or just wanna sit on the floor (me). It'll come in handy when you have more guests than chairs for movie night. A scrunchie or hair claw holder because I KNOW you turn the whole house upside down looking for one of those suckers every other morning. Now you'll know where to put/find them AND it'll look really cute if you have a fun collection to show off in your room. A pack of 12 shoe storage boxes that snap together so you can finally take care of Shoe Mountain. Your guests will appreciate not having to climb over your pile of sneakers to get to your room, your boots will appreciate not being squished into pancakes, and you'll appreciate actually being able to see all the pairs in your collection. A digital alarm clock so beautiful, you may finally use an actual clock over your phone. Best of all, it has three USB ports so you can charge said phone. A three-blade blinds cleaner with five removable microfiber sleeves so you can clean twice as fast. Now you can stop dusting and go back to snooping on your neighbors from your bedroom. A gooseneck tablet and phone stand you can attach to your bed frame or nightstand so you can achieve triple-screen relax mode. While I don't condone watching TV, scrolling on Twitter, and online shopping all at once, it IS something I'm guilty of. A six-outlet wall charger with two USB fast-charging ports *and* a night-light. Battles over the last open outlet (and spooky dark rooms) are a thing of the past. A fleece blanket sporting a puffy checkered pattern for anyone who loves a good chunky throw. Wrap yourself up like a marshmallow and hunker down for a movie marathon.
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Los Angeles Times
How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Chris Paul
Before Chris Paul was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2011, he had a stereotypical view of the city. 'When I came as a visitor, we always stayed at the Ritz-Carlton in the Marina, and every player, all [we] did was go to Rodeo Drive the day before the game or whatnot,' says Paul, who began his NBA career playing with the New Orleans Hornets in 2005. 'That was all I thought L.A. was. I thought it was all very Hollywood, glitz and glamour, so I never wanted to come out here to live.' But once the veteran point guard and his family found a home with a pool — a nonnegotiable for the North Carolina native — and got settled into their new environment, they grew to love the city. So much so that his wife, Jada Crawley, and his now-teenage children continued living in L.A. when he left to play for the Houston Rockets in 2017. When the news hit last month that he would be returning to the L.A. Clippers — a dream that he says he 'manifested' — Paul was buzzing with excitement. 'Over the years, L.A. became home,' says Paul, whose fans lovingly call him 'CP3.' He was sitting in a conference room at the Intuit Dome, the Clippers' arena, during our Zoom call. 'My family being here is all good and well, but also my community. If you live somewhere and call it home for a while, you make friends that are like family, so being away for a long time, I just missed those relationships.' Below is a game plan for Paul's perfect Sunday in L.A. It involves going to a soul food brunch spot after church with his family, practicing his swing at a driving range and hosting a game night. Here's the play by play. This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity. 6 a.m.: Hit the gymI'm an early riser. I'm up at like 6 a.m. in the gym on the daily. I'd do a home gym workout. That's a nonnegotiable. Then I'd have a small breakfast afterward. I'd probably have some french toast. That's my favorite. I'd also have some scrambled eggs, sautéed spinach and some fruit on the side. 8:30 a.m.: Church with the fam I actually had the perfect Sunday [recently]. I got dressed and went to church. It was me, my wife, my daughter, my son and two of his friends who spent the night, my brother and his wife's family, and my two little cousins who brought their friends. There were 16 of us. We decided to go to the 8:30 a.m. service at Believe L.A. Pastor Lindsey is great. I love the people there. Obviously given my schedule, I don't get to go every Sunday, but just about every time I've been there so far, it's like the message is something that I needed to hear. 11 a.m.: Soul food brunch After church, the place we'd go to is Harold and Belle's. I know the family that owns the restaurant and it's just very soulful. They do these fried mushrooms that I definitely gotta have. It really just feels like home. 2 p.m.: Practice my swing at the driving rangeIt's funny because it's going to be one of two things. My wife and my daughter will definitely want to go to Century City or the Topanga mall. They like to shop. So if they went to the mall, I would probably go to the driving range and hit some golf balls. I'm a member at a couple of courses, El Caballero Country Club and Sherwod Country Club. I've been playing golf since around 2009. It is the coolest thing ever. I grew up playing basketball with my brother and my dad, and now obviously we can't hoop together, so for years, that's how we've spent time. We go out and play golf together. I got a chance to play with a couple of friends out here in L.A. that I hadn't played with in years. [I appreciate] the camaraderie and the time you get to spend out there on the golf course. 7 p.m.: Dinner at NobuAfter that, I probably gotta chill at the house for a little bit and get ready for dinner. I'm probably going to go to Nobu in Malibu with my family. I always have my crew with me. If I'm not at Nobu, I'm at BLVD Steak. I like the crispy rice and the salmon avocado, which is like sashimi, but they do it with avocado. At BLVD Steak, they have this chopped salad that is amazing. You know my favorite food that I cannot say no to at any time? French fries. I'm a french fry connoisseur. I like for the edges to be a little bit crispy. 9:30 p.m.: Invite everyone over and play Onze After dinner, everybody will come back to my house and we'll play this game called Onze. Everybody gets 11 cards. There's six rounds and for every two players, you need one deck. We play this game nightly. Since I got into the NBA, on every flight, we play this game called Booray [also known as Bourré]. It's almost like spades. It's like the NBA game. Onze is amazing because sometimes we'll have 15 or 20 people at our house and we'll just set up different tables. So no matter what happens throughout the day, that's going to be the nightcap. We'll have Good Eat'n snacks. [Editor's note: Good Eat'n is the plant-based snack company Paul launched in partnership with GoPuff after changing his diet to be primarily plant-based.] We got drinks. I'm definitely having a few glasses of red wine. We'll have music going. It is literally the best time. 12:30 a.m.: Get some shut-eye At the end of the night, I'll see everybody out. Hug my kids — I would say kiss my kids, but I don't know if my daughter will still let me kiss her — and then I'll go to bed.
USA Today
6 days ago
- USA Today
Why Dennis Quaid's iconic 'Parent Trap' pool scene was a costume designer's nightmare
Not even Elizabeth James could save Dennis Quaid from the fashion heroics of "The Parent Trap." Quaid starred alongside then-newcomer Lindsay Lohan and Natasha Richardson in the 1998 family comedy about estranged twin sisters Hallie Parker and Annie James, who scheme to reunite their divorced parents after meeting during a chance encounter at summer camp. One of Quaid's most memorable scenes from the Disney film, which grossed $92.1 million at the global box office, is when his character Nick Parker spots his fashion designer ex, Elizabeth James (Richardson), at a hotel pool area. Stunned to see his former spouse after more than a decade, Nick quickly — and ungracefully — makes his way across the deck to talk to James, eventually falling into the pool after bumping into a hotel employee. Nick, who was dressed in a crisp two-piece suit and black dress shoes, later emerges from the pool and sheepishly walks over to James to greet her. "Dennis was very game to fall into the pool a few times in a row, which meant drying off, changing, and taking another spill," the film's director Nancy Meyers told People magazine in an interview published Aug. 9. "He was just wonderful to work with." The now-iconic scene was filmed at The Ritz-Carlton in Marina del Rey, California, and turned the marina hotel into something of a pop cultural landmark over the years. "Of all the filming we have had at the hotel over the past 35 years, that is the movie that guests mention the most," Ed Curry, the hotel's director of sales and marketing, told the magazine. "People love the movie, and all seem to know that is our pool area." 'Parent Trap' reunion! Lindsay Lohan explains Elaine Hendrix's 'Freakier Friday' cameo How Dennis Quaid pulled off 'Parent Trap' pool scene Quaid's commitment to his "Parent Trap" wipeout came at a sartorial cost. Costume designer Penny Rose told People magazine that Quaid changed between six identical designer suits from Giorgio Armani for the aquatic scene, with the production crew even spraying the suits with pool water to test the fabric. Rose noted that the chlorine from the pool water caused the suit to shrink. "I mean, I've had Tom Cruise in a fake suede shirt so that he can get it wet," Rose said. "But you can't really replicate an Armani suit." A 'Parent Trap' revival? Dennis Quaid not sure it's possible without Natasha Richardson Quaid reflected on the impact of "The Parent Trap" on his career in a March interview with People magazine, telling the outlet that the beloved dad character has become his signature role. "Everybody grew up with 'The Parent Trap,' and now there's always new kids coming along," said Quaid, jokingly adding: "I tell people, 'I was your babysitter because your parents would put this on. They'd go do what they wanted to do in the next room.'"
