Have you ever dreamed of racing through the Swiss Alps in James Bond’s 1964 Aston Martin?
Well, here’s a chance to add some color to those fantasies by studying the famous 007 vehicle in person at the Elegance at Hershey, a three-day weekend of automotive events that benefits the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) Museum in Hershey, and the AACA Library and Research Center.
The Aston Martin DB5, which appeared in the Sean Connery movies “Goldfinger” and “Thunderball” and is owned by Ohio collector Harry Yeaggy, who purchased it for $4.6 million in 2010, will be on view along with more than 60 other collector cars from all eras during the Concours d’Elegance garden party beginning at 9 am on Sunday, June 14, at the Hotel Hershey.
Wine tastings, live music, art and jewelry displays, and sponsor exhibitions are also planned. Tickets are $25. At 2:45 pm, the vehicles drive to the Elegance Award Ceremony for the trophy presentation.
If you’d prefer to take a more active role in the festivities, consider these offerings (tickets can be purchased online):
- More than 40 vintage sports cars will participate in the Grand Ascent vintage hill climb exhibition, sanctioned by the Vintage Sports Car Club of America, on Friday, June 12, and Saturday, June 13, from 9 am to 4 pm on a course behind the Hotel Hershey. Drivers will include Wayne Carini, host of Velocity’s “Chasing Classic Cars,” and former NFL coach Dick Vermeil. Tickets are $10 for spectators and $50 for the ride-along experience.
- Prior to the hill climb on Saturday morning, the Elegance 5K Challenge, a certified chip-timed race, will take place on the same course. Race walkers are also welcome. Registration is $25 through June 10; registration on June 11, 12 and 13 is $30.
- A 45-minute tour of Hershey Gardens, led by horticulture specialist Barbara Whitcraft, is scheduled Saturday at 10 am. Tickets are $10.
- A tongue-in-cheek car show, dubbed Concorso Bizarro, will showcase mechanical misfits, automotive abominations and the just plain tacky on Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm in the parking field adjacent to Route 39 and Boathouse Road. Sierra Sandison, Miss Idaho 2014, will be on hand to act as chief judge for this free event.
- The Gala Dinner Party and Charity Auction with entertainment by the Steve Rudolph Quintet will be held Saturday from 6 to 10 pm at the Hotel Hershey. This event usually sells out early; call 717-534-1910 to inquire about ticket availability.
- Amy Bischof, director of the Hershey Story, will be the guide for a trolley tour focusing on Hershey’s historic buildings on Sunday at 10:30 am. Tickets are $25.
Also, three free seminars will be offered on Saturday in the Hotel Hershey’s Garden Terrace Room (registration is required; call 717-566-7100, ext. 101):
- “One Man’s Vision: Milton Hershey,” presented by Pam Whitenack, director of the Hershey Community Archives, at 1 pm.
- “Hidden Treasurers: Our Lifetime Search for Masterpieces of American Furniture and Magnificent Motor Cars,” presented by American antiquarians and TV hosts Leigh and Leslie Keno at 2 pm.
- “All About Automotive Art,” presented by automotive artists David Snyder, Dan Reed and Loy Lockwood at 3 pm.
