Lots of ways to have fun and raise money at Concours d’ Elegance

More than half of the entries in this year’s Concours d’ Elegance are British automobiles, among them an Aston Martin Vanguard. But you’ll also see antique autos, special-interest cars, and an all-electric Tesla sports car at the event.

Concours d’Elegance is a fund-raiser for the Family Resource Center, the San Juan Island Public Schools Foundation and the Rotary International Polio Eradication Project. More than 85 cars are expected to be on exhibit.

This year, there are several ways to have fun and raise money to meet local needs.

The event begins Saturday with an island tour sponsored by the Sports Car Club of the San Juan Islands. Then, at 6:30 p.m., the Medical Guild will present a $50-a-plate fund-raising dinner at the San Juan Island Yacht Club. The menu includes choice of halibut or prime rib, with rolls, salad, special potatoes, vegetables and blackberry cobbler dessert.

A big highlight of the dinner: The first-ever public viewing of Tyler Dawson’s collection of scale car models. Tyler, an incoming senior at Friday Harbor High School, has been building scale models for 12 years and has won national and regional competitions for his work. The retrospective will include individual miniatures in different scales as well as a diorama with more than 18 different works displayed.

Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the Sports Car Club and the Rotary Club present the Concours d’ Elegance at San Juan Vineyards, 3136 Roche Harbor Road. General admission is free, though donations are accepted. Car entry fee is $30, and $10 for each additional car. Box lunch will be provided by the Medical Guild for $10 each.

The Concours is a judged event, with several categories, including antique autos, special-interest vehicles, and vintage sports cars. Last year’s 76 entries included a BMW Isetta, 1926 Cadillac limousine, and a Ferrari Testarossa.

Event sponsors include Barrier Motors, Sotheby’s International Island Group, and King Printing and Design.

This event is a chance to view rare and unique automobiles in a beautiful setting and at the same time help several worthwhile community services. The Medical Guild will direct the net proceeds of the dinner and lunch toward equipping a new observation room at the medical center.

Additional details and a car registration form are available at www.sanjuanconcours.org.

Dinner tickets are available on the Concours registration form or by calling Anne Benedict, 378-4224.

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