Dear Peter, Thank you for acknowledging that it is a long trip for me up to Hartford! My daughter, Alexandra and I have made it our tradition to make the journey. As you know she is just 8 year old and she has already as been to 4 Concourso's. I believe I have only missed 3 since 2001. As as apposed to the Tutto in Boston, where I've only been 3 times since 2002. What keeps me coming back is the Kids and the Hospital Parade! I have always been a Parade Car and every year I fall in love with my passenger. The Kids are always so excited to be in a sports car and have a police escort they can truly leave the hospital for a brief moment. You have always matched me up with the perfect child and family. When I brought my Maserati Quattroporte, I was able to take siblings, their father and my daughter. I has been a wonderful experience for Alexandra too. You have often matched me up with Black & Hispanic children which has added comfort to their parents. Often the children or prior years have come back and visited me. So while I love the Italian cars, I come for the Kids! Please don't stop the Parade! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
The stories from the parade participants, both children and adults, make the event so special. It's great that you can do this year after year.
Oh yeah yeah yeah Barry, now I remember you. I even remember you passing me on the highway on the way home a couple of years ago. Cool. We even have a few photos of you on the website in the photos section. www.ferrariandfriends.com Then, I hope, everyone should like this recently put together video that our committee put together. Thanks Robin V. for her hard work. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOohx0oDqhY]Concorso Ferrari and Friends - YouTube[/ame]
Great promo video guys! Keep up the great work with the show! I agree with what was said earlier that the show needs to remain an Italian show. Opening it up to all cars will dilute the show and make it "just another car show." I attended the show last year and spoke to many of you and was happy to see another successful event. I would agree with Sam though, the drop off of the kids on LaSalle Rd. Is chaotic. Hiring maybe 3 or 4 Police Officers just for the purpose of crowd control at drop off would aid in keeping people a safe distance away from the travel lane. Looking forward to this year's show!
What would be helpful at drop off would be a stage like they use at auctions. It would make the drop off easier to see and prevent the crowd from getting to close.
A mobile Dunkin or like coffee truck would be great for those that arrive early On the subject of velvet ropes helping manage crowds at dropoff; safety of spectators is first priority of course. What I fear with this approach instead of a human volunteer joined rope line is the rope towers have a tendency to fall over with large crowds. If very close to the cars that may be a concern - 'doink'.
A new and much larger stage will be used. The line up of the cars coming and the drop off will be better. Those of you who register your cars, there will be a section to check if would like to volunteer. Nothing difficult or time consuming. Some folks have said that standing around for 3-5hrs is a little tough and if they could help, they would. If you your not into Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts is a brief walk through alley/parking lot. We are working a plan/procedure for the parade cars' return. Funny enough, it's something we are going to practice in the time leading up to the show. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this will all come together.
Ok, to rehash this subject about Parade cars returning. What we can and can't do but are open to your suggestions. I can't really do much about the top of LaSalle Rd at Farmington Ave. The cars roll in one by one. What we are doing is the drop off area and just prior we will have some barricades to make that area easier and safer. We are to discuss on whether we will use double or single file. We have many volunteers this year and will be utilizing them.
