The Main Event - The Gasparilla Concours d'Elegance

Sunday, January 21, 2024

CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF AUTOMOTIVE EXCELLENCE

The most rare, original, historically important automobiles and motorcycles will be judged and on display.

This is the only true Concours d'Elegance for the St. Petersburg/Tampa Bay Area, and the name "Gasparilla" is synonymous with the Tampa Bay area's most famous social season.

Tampa's Gasparilla festivities begin in January every year, since 1904, celebrating the legend of the invasion of the city by the fictional (or not!) pirate Jose Gaspar. The mayor of Tampa relinquishes the keys to the city, and we are invaded by a pirate ship filled with hundreds of the cities finest business people and founding families of Tampa, all in the name of fun and charity. The Mardi Gras styled event draws hundreds of thousands of spectators. If you include the many additional events associated with the Gasparilla season, there are millions of participants and spectators involved with Gasparilla.

BUY ONE TICKET AND SEE THE GASPARILLA CONCOURS D'ELEGANCE, THE GCDE SHOWCASE AND THE FESTIVALS OF SPEED!

The newly Formed GCDE/FOS

Two Great Events Joined for One Great Day

Festivals of Speed was founded in 2004 and produces large-scale, luxury lifestyle high-end car show events. Our mission is to provide upscale festivals where car enthusiasts and collectors of automobiles, motorcycles, aircraft, yachts and luxury products can join for a weekend of camaraderie and relaxation.

We mainly operate in Florida (Orlando, Amelia Island, Ocala and St. Petersburg) and Georgia (Atlanta/Avalon). We have also operated in California and New York.

Festivals of Speed only operates at properties that offer the finest accommodations and services. These properties currently include the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, the Omni Amelia Island Plantation, the Renaissance Vinoy Hotel in St. Petersburg, the World Equestrian Center Resort in Ocala, and the Mission Inn Resort & Golf Club in NW Orlando.

Weekend events offer guests the opportunity to sample and explore the wide variety of exceptional products and services our sponsors provide. Events include Luxury Lifestyle Jetport Receptions, Wine Connoisseurs dinners, Yacht Displays, Ride & Drive experiences, Fine Art & Jewelry displays and more. We boast 20,000 plus attendees on main event show days and 700 plus attendees for Luxury Lifestyle receptions. Our boutique experiences such as Wine Connoisseurs Dinners, Italian dining experiences, and others are typically attended by 100-250 attendees for a very exclusive and intimate experience.

In addition to large-scale event production, Festivals of Speed specializes in automobile and luxury brand advertising and marketing. With access to the finest venues, exotic vehicles, rare wines/spirits, and an exclusive customer database, we have helped brands develop qualified leads and raise client retention for 18 consecutive years.

For more information call 352-406-9325.

It's also about those who benefit from our efforts

Proceeds benefit Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA).

It's about giving them a voice, to be heard, to be understood, to be supported and appreciated.

It's about introducing a different way to gauge history through these automotive timepieces.

What you can expect from a proper Concours d'Elegance are the vehicles you would not normally see, and even some cars who have never been shown in public. The goal is to share with the public the timepieces of history that made our country and our culture through the progression of the automotive industry.

It's about our Community

Most Concours d'Elegances around the country, and the world, have an exclusivity that prices the average person away from participating or viewing these great classic cars. Pebble Beach Concours tickets vary from $375-$2,500. Amelia Island tickets are $100-$775. We make sure that ticket prices are affordable for the average family, and even allow free admission for children under 16 with a paying adult.

FAQs

Can I register my car at the gate for the Saturday Concours? NO, both the Concours and the Showcase require pre-appoval. Please visit the Registration page for more information.
Do I receive my tickets by mail or email? When you purchase tickets online the ticket is emailed to you. You can show your tickets on your phone, or print them if you prefer.
How do we get food on Saturday? There will be a Food Court. VIP Tent Pass-holders will have continuous catered food and private bar included with their pass.
Where are the restrooms located? We will have a large air conditioned restroom trailer located on the field.
Is this event Handicap Accessible? Yes!

Car show vs concours d'elegance

Both Great...Just Different

We love a good car show! We have attended hundreds and even produced many ourselves. But a Concours d’Elegance is something very different. It is an invitation only event, where the owners of the vehicles must apply to be included in the event. A selection committee evaluates the applications, and chooses the vehicles that best exemplify the criteria. The criteria include an emphasis on originality, the quality of any restorations done, it’s unique and rare qualities, historical importance, and of course the “wow” factor. Concours’ are philanthropic, usually include a 501c3 foundation, and the proceeds benefit charitable organizations. Organizers and Volunteers are not in it to make a profit.

Car shows generally allow anyone willing to pay the registration fee to join in, and that would include hot rods, modified cars, exotic and modern cars, none of which you would see in a Concours. It is simply a different business model. There are instances where a car show promoter will affix a Concours name to their car show to elevate the perception of the event, but without adhering to the standards of a Concours, it is simply misleading to the public.

The Friday GCDE Tour d'Elegance road map details will be announced soon, and you will be sure to be amazed at the procession of Concours vehicles.

Please join us for an exciting weekend of automotive excellence.