After nine years of presenting a world class concours weekend, The Elegance at Hershey Board of Directors, announced on Facebook yesterday that the event will take a hiatus in 2020. Since its inception, the event — held at the historic Hotel Hershey in Hershey, Pa. — has raised over $1 million for three benefitting charities: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) Museum and the AACA Library and Research Center.
Board chair Michael Rich, son of the event’s founder, explained in the letter below that “From day one, we have been guided by the principle that if we could not make a substantial difference to our charities that there would be no reason to exist.”
According to vice chairman Steve Moskowitz, a successful year would have to net at least $100,000 for the charities.
In an interview with ClassicCars.Com Journal, Moskowitz explained, “… it wouldn’t be ethical for us to put on a big party and then donate just a little money.”
The Elegance at Hershey was more than a car show. The 3-day weekend began on Friday with The Grand Ascent, a revival of the Hershey Hill Climb, which flourished from 1958 until the 1970s on a wooded service road owned by the hotel. The Ascent featured vintage race cars and continued on Saturday. On Sunday, there was the concours d’elegance that featured about 70 of the finest collector cars. Other activities included a Kick-off Cocktail Party, Cars & Coffee, Gala Dinner & Auction, VIP breakfast and lunch, the Awards Ceremony and a final reception called the Elegance Afterglow.
The Board has not ruled out a continuation of the event in future years.
Photos: by John Olman, except Facebook letter