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Barrington Concours D'Elegance

Originally founded by the innovative vision of three Barrington-area charities, the Barrington Concours d’Elegance, Legends & Legacies, has made its mark in the area as a preeminent event featuring the finest of the automobile world. In 2007, the Barrington Area Conservation Trust, Cowboy Dreams of Illinois and Hospice of Northeastern Illinois instituted the initial Concours event, raising nearly $50,000.

Upon the great success of the first event, the Barrington Area Conservation Trust and Hospice of Northeastern Illinois plays host to the second annual Barrington Concours d’Elegance on October 3-5, 2008, at the winsome Arlington Park. Once again, the show field is limited to 100 of the world’s finest and most exclusive automobiles representing 12 different classes. The second season brings about new additions to the offerings, including a motorcycle class and a Concours Couture class. The weekend is jam-packed with events located throughout the Barrington area. Among these are the “Celebration of Speed” at Joliet’s Autobahn Raceway on Friday, the Barrington Road Rally & Village Day on Saturday and, of course, the Concours at Arlington Park on Sunday.

THE VENUE: ARLINGTON PARK

Arlington Park, situated just southeast of Barrington, has been a prominent fixture in the area for more than 80 years. Arlington hosted its inaugural meet on October 13, 1927, persevering through such struggles over the years as the Great Depression and World War II. The park thrived during the booming Golden Era of Racing, and, in 1981, presented the world’s premier million dollar race, the Arlington Million, which is still a distinguished event to this day.

Arlington Park is regarded as one of the finest international thoroughbred racing venues, playing host to many exciting events, including a historic first in 2002, when it hosted its introductory Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships. The venue features a new 1 1/8-mile Polytrack synthetic racing surface and a one-mile turf course, plus a five-furlong training track. Complementing the beautiful infield and grounds is the Grandstand, which provides an excellent backdrop as it overlooks the track. Abundant free parking adds to the appeal.

CHARITIES BENEFITTING FROM THE CONCOURS

The Barrington Concours d’Elegance, Legends & Legacies, is proudly hosted and organized by two of its founding entities—the Barrington Area Conservation Trust and Hospice of Northeastern Illinois. One hundred percent of the net proceeds collected from the Concours event are divided equally between the two charities.

The Barrington Area Conservation Trust was established in 2001 with a mission to preserve the area’s open land, its rural character and scenic setting, along with its historical merit, recreational nature and the vital ecological elements of the greater Barrington area. In collaboration with private landowners, Barrington-area village governing bodies and developers, BACTrust works to protect essential lands located within the region’s emerging growth areas through positive development initiatives.

The Barrington-based Hospice of Northeastern Illinois was created in 1984, when a small, but dynamic group of volunteers instituted a nonprofit program devoted to the hospice philosophy of compassionate care for terminally ill individuals. The organization expanded its range of care when it merged with Hospice for McHenry County in 1989, now servicing a six-county area in Chicago’s suburbs.