Ferraris, wine and fine dining: Palm Beach Cavallino Classic returns to The Breakers
Ferrari lovers, rejoice: The 33rdannual Palm Beach Cavallino Classic starts soon.
One of the largest Ferrari conventions in the world, the event running from Thursday through Sunday attracts an international lineup of Ferrari collectors for the opportunity to have their cars presented and judged on the landscaped lawns of The Breakers hotel.
"It's the No. 1 event in the U.S., probably even the world, for vintage Ferraris," said Stephen Bruno, a Boca Raton-based collector who is bringing some of the cars to the show. They will include a one-of-the-kind 1959 Ferrari 250 GT TDF, the only Ferrari of its series to sport a green paint scheme.
The showcase is the first in a circuit of eight internationally recognized classic car events, or concours, that many consider to be the most prestigious car showcases. They include an annual event at the Pebble Beach resort in California at which an international group of experts judge qualifying cars on their authenticity and originality, said Luigi Orlandini, founder, chairman and CEO of Canossa , the Italian car event organizer leading the event.
"If a car wins an award at Cavallino, that really means the car is superb, original and properly preserved or properly restored," Orlandini told the Daily News. According to Orlandini, Cavallino stands out among the eight car events in its singular focus on classic Ferraris.
The winner of Saturday's "Best in Show" award will be eligible to compete in the famed Peninsula Hotel Group's "Best of the Best" competition, alongside winners from the seven other classic-car events.
Launched in 1992 by Cavallino , an American-based magazine centered on the Italian car brand, the Concorso d'Eleganza has grown exponentially, even attracting the attention and unofficial support of the Italian carmaker.
In 2020 Cavallino was purchased by Canossa Events, a classic-car event organizer based in Italy's "Motor Valley," a region surrounding the city of Modena, which is the home to the headquarters of carmakers such as Ferrari.
Orlandini said Canossa sought to expand the event's reach to anyone interested in a rare luxury experience.
While the event officially begins with Thursday's welcome reception, the experience truly kicks off at 12:30 p.m. Friday with the "Tour d'Eleganza," a Ferrari-exclusive drive from the Boca Resort to the Four Season Palm Beach along the oceanfront via State Road A1A. A welcome luncheon and cocktail reception will be featured at the beginning and end of the drive, respectively.
Ending Friday's itinerary will be the "Party Under the Stars" at 5:30 p.m. at The Breakers, featuring food, wine, live music and a DJ set. Guests will also have the opportunity to vote on their favorite Ferrari in the Tour d'Eleganza, with the Ferrari receiving the most votes winning the People's Choice Award.
Saturday's "Concorso d'Eleganza" opens to the public at 10 a.m. Those who pass on Saturday's array of Ferraris may be interested in the day's VIP experience. "We created a VIP lounge … which will offer good wines, breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, so people can linger, socialize and enjoy the setting of the event itself," Orlandini said.
Also on display will be an exhibit featuring the custom Formula 1 posters created for every Grand Prix from the 2017 through 2023 seasons. The daytime processions conclude with an award presentation and a car parade featuring the award-winning Ferraris.
However, the top prize for collectors, the "Best in Show" award, will be delivered during Saturday evening's Cavallino Award Night. The gala will feature Jeff Simms, The Breakers executive chef; Michele Casadei Massari, executive chef of La Lucciola New York; and Juan Manuel Barrientos, the chef at El Cielo Miami; working side by side to deliver a multicourse dining experience.
"That's the idea, to position Cavallino not just as a car show but as a great experience, and something that can be of interest to anyone," Orlandini said.
Ending the four-day Ferrari celebration will be "Classic & Sports Sunday" at the Mar-a-Lago Club, a show open to classic cars of all marques, as well as rare modern luxury or Italian sports cars. The day will also feature a "light judging" panel, with winners having the chance to win a selection of small prizes, Orlandini said.
The event officially concludes with a 11:30 a.m. charity brunch in Mar-a-Lago's Grand Ballroom.
Ticketing
While the all-inclusive passes have sold out, there are still opportunities to purchase admission for select events. Tickets for Friday's "Party Under the Stars" are $380.
General admission to Saturday's Concorso d'Eleganza, which includes a complimentary aluminum water bottle, are $480. Tickets for the VIP experience are $2,500 and includes benefits including access to the VIP lounge, all-day catering beverage services and entrance to the Cavallino Awards Night.
Tickets exclusively for the "Cavallino Awards Night" are $880. Tickets for "Classic & Sports Sunday" are $680.
Discounts are available for attendees under 25 and public safety workers employed by Palm Beach and West Palm Beach. For more information, call 561-994-1345, or email customercare@cavallino.com
Diego Diaz Lasa is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News , part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at dlasa@pbdailynews.com . Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Palm Beach Cavallino Classic brings Ferraris to The Breakers
