In High Gear

What began as a one woman’s tribute to a dear friend has become a nationally recognized car show , exhibiting some of the most spectacular automobiles and motorcycles of all time.

If You Go

Concours d’Elegance
Sunday, June 13, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Ault Park, ohioconcours.com

Tickets (at gate): adults, $30; student with school ID: $15; children 12 and under: Free

Limited parking available, guest are encourage to park at remote parking location with free shuttle to the main show gate area.

Held in Ault Park, the 43rd annual Concours d’Elegance features more than 200 premier collector vehicles along with other events for car aficionados, including an automotive art show, a brunch, and a craft beer garden. 

This is the longest continuously-running Concours d’Elegance outside of the West Coast, and the fourth longest in the United States. The show has introduced a number of innovations, such as the first regular classes of motorcycles (2000) and Asian collector cars (2006).

The Concours d’Elegance was the vision of Helen Williams, held in honor of her good friend Bill Rudd, who had severe rheumatoid arthritis. A small group of eight committee members, in cooperation with the Arthritis Foundation, Ohio River Valley Chapter, produced the first event, held at the home of Williams and her husband. The event moved to a number of locations in the 1980s before settling at Ault Park in 1996. 

In 2006, the Cincinnati Concours Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, was established to manage and produce the Concours. All proceeds from the event continue to benefit the Arthritis Foundation, Ohio River Valley Chapter.

Prior to the program in Ault Park, the Concours has events on Saturday. The Countryside Tour begins at  12 at Horsepower Farm, 2227 Trinity Drive, in Middletown, for a scenic drive down to Cincinnati. On Saturday evening, the Hangar Party at Lunken Airport offers a one-of-a-kind display of exotic cars and motorcycles, private jets, and luxury motor coaches with gourmet dinner by the bite

The Concours opens on Sunday at 10 a.m., continuing until 4 p.m. with “An Exhibition of Motorsport Excellence” – a curated outdoor automotive museum with specialty displays for the 100th anniversary of Lincoln, 60 years of the Jaguar E-Type, and 50 Years of the Nissan Z-cars. The work of automotive fine artists will be exhibited at the Sherman Automotive Art Show, in the Ault Park Pavilion. 

The Craft Beer Garden features local breweries, with seating on the north lawn of the pavilion. Tickets must be purchased on site, either at the main ticket booth or beer garden entrance. Separate admission to the Concours d’Elegance Car Show is required.

This year, attendees can also enjoy a gourmet brunch, cocktails, and desserts, served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Advance ticket purchase is required for this event at $50 per person. 

Later in the day, the awards ceremony honors the owners, vehicles, and even artists. Among the awards presented are the William K. Victor Best of Show Concours d’Elegance, the Roy O. Sweeney Best of Show Esprit de Sport, Ambassador Award Hagerty Youth Judges’ Choice, Award for Best Interio, Herb Krombholz Pre-War Sports Troph, Best Packard Award, and, fittingly, the Bill Rudd Memorial Corvette Trophy.

Cover photo: Tyler Breedwell Photography