Palermo’s Pizza, one of Milwaukee’s most well-known and successful businesses, has signed on as sponsor of the VIP tent for the 2016 Milwaukee Concours d’Elegance and Lexus of Brookfield / North Shore is returning as a social sponsor. The announcement was made today by Gary Messing, president – The Masterpiece Ltd.
The VIP tent, located on the grounds in Veterans Park during the Milwaukee Concours d’Elegance, will provide food and beverages to the owners of the classic and vintage cars that will be on the show field for the judged concours competition as well as samples of Palermo’s delicious pizza for the enjoyment of spectators.
“We are excited to have Palermo’s be part of our weekend,” Messing said. “I’m confident their quality food offerings will be thoroughly enjoyed,” Messing said. “And we are equally excited to have Lexus return as a sponsor. The LFA was a hit in 2015 and we’re delighted it will be back on the show grounds this year.”
“The Concours d’Elegance is a great way for Palermo’s to support the local community and show its love of cars,” said Nick Fallucca, vice president of marketing and research and development – Palermo Villa Inc. “As an avid car enthusiast and a member of the BMW CCA and SCCA, this is a great way for the public to see cars that most people only see online.”
Palermo’s, a Milwaukee tradition, got its start in 1964, first as a bakery on the city’s east side. In 1969 the family-owned business opened a pizzeria. Ten years later, their frozen pizza manufacturing business began and continues today offering a variety of frozen pizza varieties. Learn more at http://www.palermospizza.com/about-us/history.
Lexus of Brookfield and Lexus North Shore will have a hospitality tent on the grounds of the Milwaukee Concours d’Elegance in Veterans Park as well as a display that is sure to draw crowds, according to Gina Safro-Resch, Safro Automotive Group marketing director. 
“For the enjoyment of attendees at this year’s Milwaukee Concours d’Elegance, we will be displaying a rare Lexus LFA,” she said. Dealer Principal Jeanne M. Safro, Safro-Resch’s mother, purchased the 2012 LFA in honor of her late husband Jack Safro. She subsequently sold it and it has stayed in the greater Milwaukee area. The current owner, Pat Walsh, has graciously agreed to show the car during the Milwaukee Concours d’Elegance weekend.
About the Milwaukee Concours d’Elegance
The 2016 Milwaukee Concours d’Elegance is a celebration of the art and beauty of automobiles as well as classic motorboats. Approximately 200 cars and vintage boats will be on display and will be competing for top honors on Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Veterans Park on Milwaukee’s lakefront. Gates are open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
On Saturday, Aug. 27, a casual car show, open to anyone who wishes to show a car, motorcycle or truck, will kick off the Milwaukee Concours d’Elegance weekend in Veterans Park. This is a casual car show and will not include the vehicles that will be shown and judged on Sunday. Saturday’s Style & Speed Social, a casual evening of camaraderie, food and beverage, will take place at The Milwaukee Club in downtown Milwaukee.
The main event of the weekend is the Milwaukee Concours d’Elegance on Sunday, Aug. 28. Vehicles shown on this day are invited to this competition by the Concours Committee and are judged for specific attributes. The vehicles are arranged in classes so that like vehicles are competing against other like vehicles. The judges will not only select the best in each class but also will award premiere awards for specific categories such as Best Open Early, Best Open Late, Most Sporting, etc. In addition, Best of Show, Chief Judge’s award and other honors will recognize the best of the day’s competition.
Among the classic and vintage vehicles that will be assembled on the show field on Aug. 28 will be a collection of rare Ferraris. This collection will serve as a tribute to Wayne Obry, former owner of Motion Products, Inc., Neenah. Mr. Obry passed away earlier this year.
Proceeds from the Milwaukee Concours d’Elegance weekend of events benefit Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee and Meta House. Since its inception 12 years ago, this event has raised more than $200,000 for charity.
Joining Chief Judge Colin Comer on Sunday will be six honorary judges. They include:
- Peter Cunningham, Championship driver and team owner of RealTime Racing
- Donald Osborne, an automotive consultant, historian, Accredited Senior Appraiser and a member of the American Society of Appraisers. Noted enthusiast, collector and concours judge
- Roger Morrison, 31 year veteran of judging at Pebble Beach and will serve as Assistant Chief Judge at the 2016 Milwaukee Concours d’Elegance.
- Jonathan Klinger, vice president of public relations for Hagerty, the world’s leader in classic car insurance and valuations expertise.
- Kim Wolfkill, editor-in-chief of Road & Track magazine; was most recently senior business and partner manager for Microsoft’s Turn 10 Studios.
- Tom Jones, president of the CCCA (Classic Car Club of America) and chair of the Keeneland Concours in Lexington, Ky.
The Masterpiece Ltd., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, hosts the Milwaukee Concours d’Elegance and associated events.
Tickets are available at the gate both days or can be purchased in advance online
Learn more at MilwaukeeConcours.com.