FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 12, 2011
For more information:
Zach Stratton
360-750-1553 Ext 19
marketingadmin@visitvancouverusa.com
VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON, TO HOST SECOND ANNUAL
COLUMBIA RIVER CONCOURS D'ELEGANCE
Historic Officers Row is setting for prestigious car show
VANCOUVER, Wash. - Based on the success of last year's inaugural event, the Columbia
River Concours d'Elegance has again selected Vancouver for its prestigious showcase of
classic cars. Hundreds of rare and exotic cars as well as antique automobiles will be on display
on Sunday, August 7, 2011, at the beautiful Officers Row located at Fort Vancouver National
Historic Site. The event is a fundraiser with all net proceeds going to Rotary International
scholarships and service projects.
"We're delighted to be the host city for this event that combines our local history with classic
automobile design," said Kim Bennett, president and CEO of the Vancouver USA Regional
Tourism Office. "Officers Row is the perfect location for these car enthusiasts to share their
automotive treasures and take us back in time to another era of technology and art."
Concours d'Elegance events date back to the late 1700s when wealthy Parisians rode up and
down the Champs Elysees showing off their elegant coaches. This parade became known as
the Parade of Elegance, the English translation of Concours d'Elegance. As time progressed,
the automobile began to replace the coach and subsequently custom coach builders started
producing elegant works of automotive art. The parade became motorized and the Concours
d'Elegance, as we know it today, was born.
"The Concours is not a speed event, but one of elegance and excellence," said Columbia River
Concours d'Elegance Administrator Tom Markos. "Vehicles are judged for their historical
accuracy, their technical merit, elegance and style."
Awards for Best in Show, Best in Class, and Second and Third in Class will be presented.
"Specialty Awards" may also be given for cars of unusual merit. Cars may be entered in nearly
four dozen classes representing virtually all the classic and collectible marques. Visitors can
expect to see such famous names as Jaguar, Bentley, Ferrari, Mercedes Benz, Alpha Romeo, Austin Healey, MG, Porsche, Triumph, Cadillac, Corvette, Lincoln, Morgan, and a host of
others. Last year was the first show held in Vancouver, with more than 100 cars featured and
approximately 1,000 spectators.
The 2011 Columbia River Concours d'Elegance starts at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 7, on
Officers Row in downtown Vancouver. The awards ceremony will take place at 2:30 p.m., and
the show concludes at 4:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on the event website in advance for
$8 for adults or at the gate for $10; admission is free for youth ages 12 and under.
About Vancouver USA Regional Tourism Office
Vancouver USA Regional Tourism Office (formerly Southwest Washington Convention & Visitors Bureau)
is an economic development organization responsible for competitively marketing Vancouver and the
surrounding area as a destination for meetings, conventions, and group and leisure travelers. The
organization's mission is to promote Vancouver and Clark County by increasing convention and visitor
business. For more information call 877-224-4214, or log on to www.VisitVancouverUSA.com .
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