Cars & Coffee and the Concours d’Lemons Return to the River District

The River District and the City of Owen Sound are thrilled to welcome Cars & Coffee, Concours d’Lemons, and Automotive Seminars back to the area on Saturday, September 14, 2024.

Cars & Coffee will feature a diverse group of vehicles 25 years and older, which celebrate the automotive enthusiast’s spirit. Proud owners of beautiful collectible vehicles will showcase their prized automobiles and gather with like-minded car lovers for a cup or two of coffee. Cars & Coffee will take place from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on 2nd Avenue East, between 7th Street East and 10th Street East. 

The tongue-in-cheek Concours d’Lemons celebrates the oddball, mundane, and truly wacky of the automotive world and is part of Hagerty's partnership with the Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance (taking place the following day, Sunday, September 15). Concours d’Lemons will take place from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on 1st Avenue West, between 8th Street West and 9th Street West. 

To accommodate these exciting events, the following road closures will be in place:

• 2nd Avenue East will be closed on Saturday, September 14th, between 7th Street East and 10th Street East from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for Cars & Coffee.
• 1st Avenue West will be closed on Saturday, September 14th, between 8th Street West and 9th Street West from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Concours d’Lemons.
• All through intersections will remain open, and all businesses in the River District will remain accessible to patrons.

As part of both the Cars & Coffee event, as well as the Concours d’Elegance on September 15 at Cobble Beach, Owen Sound is proud to present the Owen Sound Fire Department #1 – 1923 American LaFrance fire engine. Originally the first motorized fire pumper in Owen Sound and Grey County, this fire engine took over 15 years to restore by a dedicated group of volunteers in partnership with Grey Roots Museum.

During the event, contests for business windows and automotive people's choice awards will take place. Several stores will have sidewalk retail options for eventgoers, which will be a great opportunity to support local businesses.

For media inquiries, please contact Viveca Gravel, River District Coordinator, at 519-376-4440 ext. 1209 or email vgravel@owensound.ca

For road closure inquiries, please contact Lara Widdifield, Director of Public Works and Engineering, at 519-376-4440 ext. 1201 or email lwiddifield@owensound.ca

Quotes:

"Working in partnership with Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance to host both Cars & Coffee and Concours d’Lemons in the Owen Sound River District makes for a full weekend of fun, showing off the beauty and unique offerings of the automotive world alongside the views and culture of the River District.”

- Mayor Ian Boddy

Quick Facts:

• Concours d'Lemons and Cars & Coffee are free family-friendly events that complement the Concours d’Elegance event.
• 2nd Avenue East will be closed on Saturday, September 14th, between 7th Street East and 10th Street East from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for Cars & Coffee. All intersections will remain open.
• 1st Avenue West will be closed on Saturday, September 14th, between 8th Street and 9th Street West from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Concours d’Lemons.
• This is the second year running for Cars & Coffee in the River District.
• The 1923 American LaFrance fire engine celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 2023. 

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