Ferndale Enterprise photo
Photo by Evan Wish
2021 Event Schedule
This is your personal invitation to experience vintage motorcars on an authentic, historical boulevard, in the Victorian Village, a preservationist’s dream. This is a complete Concours, not just a show and shine, and we have planned an enchanting weekend just for you!
Thursday, September 9
Leaving San Rafael in the morning, it will be a short drive to a private, 100+ auto collection, heavily laced with American Classics. Our next stop will be at Coppola Winery (where we will see our second Tucker of the day!). Just north and across US101, we’ll stop at a pizzeria/salumeria for lunch. After lunch, we’ll head north on 101, stopping at a winery, or two, as well as exploring a backroad, here and there. Once in Humboldt County, we’ll turn off 101 onto Avenue of the Giants, a 31-milelong path in and out of canyons of old-growth redwoods. The last leg of our drive will take us through the verdant Eel River Valley, where we’ll come up close and personal to herds of dairy cows. The day will conclude with dinner at the VI Restaurant, located in the Concours’ headquarters hotel, Ferndale’s Victorian Inn.
Friday, September 10
In the morning, we’ll be treated to a docent-led tour of Fern Cottage. Located just a few miles from downtown Ferndale, it was the home of Joseph and Zipporah Russ, a founding family of Ferndale, maintained just as it was, when built in the 1860s. You’re on your own for lunch at one of the many fine Ferndale eateries. After lunch, we’ll head north to Eureka for a tour of the craft Lost Coast Brewery. The day will conclude with a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception in the gardens of Ferndale’s Barndominium Airbnb.
Saturday, September 11
Departing from the Ferndale Community Center, our Rendezvous d’Elegance will motor north on 101, taking a few backcountry roads that rival Avenue of the Giants in their splendor. Just crossing the “border” into Del Norte County, we’ll stop for lunch and a tour of the world-famous Trees of Mystery, where we’ll walk through a biosphere atop old-growth redwoods and take a tram to the top of a redwood crowned mountain. A quarter-mile hike will take you to the breakers of the Pacific Ocean. Returning from Del Norte, we’ll stop at the Harper family’s private auto collection with 60+ vehicles, heavily featuring brass-era autos. Time permitting, folks on the tour can enjoy Cruz’n Eureka hotrod show in Old Town. The day concludes with a luau dinner at the private Carson Mansion/Ingomar Club, considered to be the finest example of Queen Anne Victorian architecture in the nation. Docent-led tours will follow dinner.
Sunday, September 12
Concours day! The “field,” Ferndale’s National Historic Landmark Commercial District, will open for vehicle placement at 7am. The Concours will conclude with the presentation of the “Best-of-Show” award at about 4pm. Jaguar is this year’s featured marque. A meatloaf and mashed potatoes dinner will follow at the Ferndale Community Center.
Monday, September 13
Informal “hate to see you go” breakfast at the VI Restaurant.
NOTE: Any of the above is subject to change at any time.
Photo by Evan Wish