Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the annual Mercedes-Benz Lake Mirror Classic takes place around Lake Mirror and in the downtown Lakeland area on October 16/17, 2009. Lakeland expects an estimated 35,000 people wandering around Lake Mirror for the two day event which is considered as one of the best shows in the Southeast. Visiting the extraordinary event will mesmerize car enthusiasts around Lakeland and the country.
This two-day charity event raises money for Lakeland’s non-profit groups, such as the Junior Achievement, Pied Piper Players, Boy Scouts, the First Tee, Historic Lakeland, and Lakeland Regional Cancer. More than $200,000.00 has been raised or donated helping them raise needed funds through the sale of food and beverage at the event.
The honorary chairman for this year’s Festival is Hall of Famer and endurance racer Hurley Hawood, known as a one-of-a-kind driver winning the 24 Hours of Daytona five times – a pioneer and a legend indeed.
What can you expect at Lakeland’s Lake Mirror Classic?
Friday, October 16th from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. there will be a free Budweiser Hot Rod Rendezvous at the Lake Mirror Amphitheater with a free outdoor concert featuring live music by Jr. and the MDs, 100 hot rod and custom cars.. The Hot Rod Rendezvous will benefit the Junior Achievement of Polk County
Saturday, October 17th from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Lake Mirror Park and downtown Lakeland, Judged Concours d’ Elegance – “contest of elegance” for 100 selected cars in the following categories:
- Brass Era Vehicles
- Pre-War Classics 1925-1942
- Pre-War Production Cars 1900 – 1942
- Post-War Production Cars 1945-1962
- Commercial Vehicles thru 1959
- Muscle Cars 1964-1972
- Domestic Sports Cars Thru 1972
- Foreign Sports Cars Thru 1972
- Cars of Particular Interest
Art Deco Automobiles featuring 1930 Mercedes-Benz 130H (German), 1938 Panhard Dynamic (France), 1937 Tatra T87 (Czechoslovakia), and the Peugeot Darl’ mat (France). Classic Wooden Boat show at Lake Mirror, Classic Motorcycles
Noon: Lunch Parade to the Lake Mirror Promenade led by Scottish bag-piper as tuxedo-clad Terrace Hotel waiters delivers lunch to Concours d’ Elegance participants.
2:00 p.m.: Parade of Classic Wooden Boats at Lake Mirror
3:00 p.m.: Awards Ceremony of Concours d’Elegance trophy presentation
Check out the photos I took at last year’s event of the Lake Mirror Classic – you don’t want to miss it – Truly Amazing!