Boca Raton Concours d'Elegance Recap - Friday's Hangar Party (Day 1)

Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance Recap – Friday’s Hangar Party (Day 1)

1St Web Series February 26, 2019 | 0

Recap of the 13th annual Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance – Day 1, Hangar Party.

The 13th annual Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance is in the books. This incredible benefit, showcasing exotic cars, custom motorcycles, grandiose boats, and private jets, somehow manages to keep on getting better year after year. That’s saying a lot considering this event has always been an extraordinary one.

We are proud to say that the Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance is the fastest growing Concours in the nation and the world’s largest for charitable contributions…and it’s right here in our backyard.

The 13th annual Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance ran from February 22nd to the 24th, 2019. It was a spectacular three day weekend. From the amazing vehicles to see and hear, to the interesting people to meet and greet, to the delicious food to taste and devour, it was a great time with so many things to tantalize the senses.

This prestigious car show event, of which we are so proud to have been part of, benefited the Boy’s & Girl’s Clubs of Broward County.

In this article, we will explain what the event is all about and recap the Day 1 Hangar Party (with highlights coming straight from our camera).

Here’s a quick run-through of the Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance three-days event (highlights from Day 1 further below)

Day 1 (Friday – February 22, 2019): Hangar Party

The Concours kicked off on Friday night with the duPont Registry™ Live Hangar Party at Atlantic Aviation in the Boca Raton Airport. Guests got the chance to enjoy delectable foods from more than 20 different fine restaurants here in South Florida. Guests got to view a display of custom, exotic and classic cars, motorcycles, boats and private jets up close and personal. The guests were also able to see and learn what all the wonderful local vendors who set up displays have to offer. And of course, they had the opportunity to mingle over drinks with the numerous other attendees. The evening was an absolute blast.

Day 2 (Saturday – February 23, 2019): Gala Dinner and Auction & Show

Saturday night was the Gala Dinner & Show, which was so much fun that the new standard for the Gala Dinner & Show is hard to compete to with. The food was incredible, and the guests were too. There were presentations from some of the leaders of the Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance and a number of celebrity guest appearances and performances. It was a night to remember.

Day 3 (Sunday – February 24, 2019) Automobile & Motorcycle Exhibition

The final day went on all-day with an automobile and motorcycle exhibition. The massive field at the Boca Raton Resort & Club was full of custom cars and motorcycles of all different makes and models. People were able to show their vehicles, many that have been customized and built through a passion that extends decades. The day included an exclusive brunch and Q&A with Jay Leno and Wayne Carini. It all ended with a car and motorcycle show-field competition and awards ceremony. It was the perfect way to end the event.

JAY LENO

The iconic celebrity, who is the former host of NBC’s The Tonight Show and current star of his own television show Jay Leno’s Garage was in attendance all three days. Usually, Jay Leno only attends Day 3, but this year was the first time that he was at all three days of the event. Just like the rest of us, he didn’t want to miss anything.

Jay Leno is the true definition of a car aficionado and has been a huge part in making this event what it is today. Friday night he made an appearance at the Hangar Party. Saturday he made a headline at the Grand Gala Dinner and Live Auction & Show. Then Sunday, he took part in an exclusive brunch (seats were open to a select number of people for $500 to $1,000 for premier seating), walked the show-field to gush over all the vehicles and meet and greet fans and car enthusiasts alike (at this time he made his selection for “The Big Dog Garage Award” – his favorite automobile and motorcycle at the exhibition), and ran his yearly Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance Q&A on stage.

From the words of Jay Leno, here is how he selects his favorite automobile and motorcycle for The Big Dog Garage Award:

“To me, the real fun is finding that guy who bought the car, in you know 1996, and took 14 years or whatever it is to restore it. And did it all himself and painted it in his garage. It might not look as good as some of the hundred-point cars the heart and soul is what you look for. So, that’s what I’m going to be looking for around the field, trying to find that one car that has that feature.”

Highlights from Day 1’s Hangar Party – Friday, February 22, 2019

The Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance commenced with the duPont Registry Live Hangar Party this past Friday night. It was held at Atlantic Aviation, which is located at the Boca Raton Airport.

Boca’s Concours d’Elegance was presented by Mercedes-Benz and AutoNation (more sponsors below – we were one of them!). This year’s event acknowledges Bentley Motorcars on the company’s 100th anniversary with the Marque of the Year award.

The event ran from 6-9 PM. There was everything from savory and sweet tastings of gourmet food from South Florida’s best restaurants, to live entertainment, to exotic cars, boats, and private jets, to wine and spirits, to premier vendors (like ourselves). Furthermore, there was a celebrity appearance by special guest Jay Leno. So there was enough to keep everyone busy for the entire three hours. Moreover, it was clear that nobody wanted to leave when it was all over.

At the beginning of the event, Leno held a media gathering, splitting humor among the crowd, as per usual. Furthermore, he was answering questions, such as: what made him get into cars in the first place; which car is his favorite; what kind of car was his first (answer to this one is a 1934 Ford pickup truck, at the age of 14). As you all know, it’s a pleasure to hear what Leno has to say, especially when it comes to the auto world.

We took plenty of photos of the party to make this post. So, let’s have a look at some of the highlights from Friday night.

The Rick Case Automotive Group unrolled the carpet. So we had to get a pic of our Diamond Girl and Instagram influencer, Janeece Sinclair, to represent.

The gorgeous and uber powerful LaFerrari, also known as the F70 and F150, was in attendance. The Ferrari LaFerrari. The Ferrari LaFerrari catches surplus power under braking and when the engine makes an excess of power (so, always). It then delivers it to a battery pack, then to two electric motors. One gives increase to its V12 gas engine while the other pushes accessories. LaFerrari’s HY-KERS (hybrid kinetic energy recovery system) operates together with the engine, never alone. Therefore, it is technically a mild hybrid.

Sweetness came in all forms. Who could pass up ice cream cones with this kind of delivery?

Beyond these two beauts in the front, do you see that private jet in the back? Let’s take a peek inside…

The ladies enjoying the sleek private jet.

Diamonds by Raymond Lee’s vintage lavender Corvette was front and center. So, with its mint condition classic appeal, naturally, it got a lot of attention.

Our beauty shamelessly wore a sticker on the windshield to show everyone what’s up.

Our fine jewelry on display for guests to enjoy and try on.

Necklaces, Rings, Bracelets and all types of fine jewelry for everyone to gawk over.

As you can see, our displays were a big hit. It goes without saying, but…who doesn’t love things that sparkle?

Guests enjoying themselves. The Hangar Party is truly one of a kind. So if you haven’t been and get the chance to come, definitely jump on it.

Tacos, tacos, tacos. We love tacos, especially the gourmet kind.

Lee Josephson of Diamonds by Raymond Lee.

Founders of the Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance

Boca Raton’s Concours d’Elegance was founded and directed by Rita & Rick Case of Rick Case Automotive (located in Davie, Florida). This world-renowned car event is presented by Mercedes-Benz and AutoNation.

The Concours team comprises a group of over 300 volunteers. The volunteers give their time for planning and executing this extravagant event each year. It is a massive job considering the event sees thousands of attendees. This three-day vintage car show has raised over $10 million for the nonprofit organization that is the Boy’s & Girl’s Clubs of Boca Raton.

Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance Charity

All of the proceeds from the Concours d’Elegance goes to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County. The gallant efforts of this event benefit the 12,000+ at-risk youth that the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County aids.

Here’s how the contributions work: Every year the event is open to the public via tickets. Tickets are $125 for Friday’s Live Hangar Party, $500 for Saturday’s Grand Gala Dinner and Auction & Show (premier seating and table options are available), and $100 for Sunday’s Concours, which is the main event. For those who want an exclusive lunch with Jay Leno, Warne Carini, and Keith Martin, the tickets are $1,000 per person. However, there’s a limited number available.

So with that, everything goes to charity. This is how the Concours d’Elegance of Boca Raton has been able to raise over $10,000,000 for the Boy’s & Girls Clubs of Broward County over the last 12 years (even more now that the 13th annual show is complete). The fact that the Concours d’Elegance is so well done and that it’s for a good cause, it is one of the greatest events and car shows nationwide.

About The Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County (BGCBC)

“The Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County (BGCBC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) private agency, dedicated to helping young people improve their lives by building self-esteem and developing values and skills during their critical period of growth, and serves more than 12,500 at-risk youth throughout the County. BGCBC has received the coveted 4 stars rating (out of 4 stars) by Charity Navigator for the seventh year in a row. (Only 4% of the Non- Profits in the USA have achieved this level of excellence).” – Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County

Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance Awards

Here are the companies and people who received awards at the 13th annual Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance.

Firstly, the Marque of the Year went to Bentley Motorcars. Bentley Motorcars just celebrated their 100th anniversary. This is an extremely remarkable milestone that only a special few companies have ever reached.

Secondly, the National Automotive Racing Lifetime Achievement Award went to Ryan Hunter-Reay.

Next, the National Automotive Manufacturer Lifetime Achievement Award: Mercedes-Benz USA President and CEO Dietmar Exler.

Lastly, the National Automotive Dealer Lifetime Achievement Award: Rick Hendrick, chairman and owner of the Hendrick Automotive Group and Hendrick Motorsports.

About Diamonds by Raymond Lee

We have been sponsors and attendees of the Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance for multiple years running. So here is a little about us…

Diamonds by Raymond Lee – and Raymond Lee Jewelers our flagship store which is also in Boca Raton – has been in business for over three decades. We are Boca Raton’s finest, high-end jewelry, pre-owned luxury watch, diamond engagement ring, and estate jewelry boutique. We are specialist in the field of luxury designer rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, pendants, watches, and custom jewelry designs.

Diamonds by Raymond Lee is South Florida’s top destination for diamonds thanks to our massive and extremely selective collection of designer bridal jewelry, diamond jewelry, and loose diamonds.

We’d love for you to visit either of our stunning Boca Raton jewelry stores to examine why our family owned and operated business is so well-loved here in South Florida’s Sunny City of Boca Raton.

Cart

Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance Recap – Friday’s Hangar Party (Day 1)