Hilton Head Island’s local participation in the annual Concours d’Elegance and Motoring Festival has produced a winning combination of exhibitors, judges, volunteers, spectators, and community outreach for twenty years. As the Low Country welcomes thousa
nds of people to the multi-day, educational and entertaining festival, a glance under the hood reveals its positive impact on our community.
Three hundred fifty+ volunteers help it cruise smoothly!
There are hundreds of ways each volunteer adds something unique to the festival! According to Kim Arn, Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival Volunteer Manager, approximately 225 direct volunteers are registered, plus an additional 125 volunteers from outside organizations. All volunteers receive training, t-shirts, and snacks for their eight-hour shifts greeting, collecting tickets, driving, or directing guests at Port Royal Golf Club or Hilton Head’s Flights & Fancy Aero port Gala/Aero Expo.
Saturday’s Car Club Showcase features local favorites! 
Invited car club’s selections give the area’s finest motors a chance to shine. Low Country Sports Car Club, Carolina Dreamers, Sun City Car Club, and Corvettes of Hilton Head are just a few of the twenty clubs participating. Each club sends its best representatives, allowing car collectors a chance to uncover their prized possession and share the story that connected the two of them.
Youth Judging Program deserves a trophy!
Imagine being around ten years old, seeing the 1st and 18th fairways filled with one-of-a-kind automobiles, and realizing your opinion counts! In this rare opportunity, students ages 7-13 learn to evaluate five categories on select entries using a five-point judging system. Hagerty includes the youth judging to impact and educate almost 1,200 kids yearly in over 125 classic car and marine shows. Rachel Ventimiglia, Manager of Car Culture, says, “It’s a wonderful opportunity for youth to view world-class vehicles up close and interact directly with their owners. We provide 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbons with each judging kit and often can include this program in a formal awards ceremony, making it extra special for the kids”.
Students are free!
DYA, Driving Young America, knows the future of our country lies in the education, experiences, and knowledge of the next generation. The history of automobiles may be a thing of the past but engaging today’s youth in close and personal contact with motors, engineering, artistic design, and efficiency brings learning to life. As the wheels inside their young brains turn, this motor festival may be the first step toward their inspiration to pursue a career in the mobility, aviation, or automotive industries.
True winners are Driving Young Americans!
Concours d’Elegance and Motoring Festival have given back to our local community for twenty years through DYA, Driving Young America’s mission. Young people in Hilton Head Island and nearby youth organizations have greatly benefited from the non-profit group’s generosity. Over one million dollars in donations (direct grants, scholarships, and contributions) have been awarded to many youth organizations and clubs, such as Heroes on Horseback, ROTC, Hilton Head Island High School Robotics Club, the Boys and Girls Club, Hilton Head Symphony Youth Programs, preschools, and many more. 
Community outreach is the gear that cranks all aspects of the car show together. By creatively highlighting transportation from the past, it inspires and supports the hope of tomorrow!
Contributed by Janice Magnin
Posted by Bill True on
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