Photography by Jeff Heeney & Julissa Carrasco of VIP Alexandria Magazine
Organizers of the Old Town Festival of Speed & Style presented by Burke & Herbert Bank, are pleased for the return of this signature event taking place Labor Day weekend. The 2nd annual single-day, free event was originally scheduled to take place in 2020 and was postponed three times due to the pandemic, will now return on Sunday, September 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The event will feature more than 100 rare and unusual supercars and vintage motorcycles from around the world for up-close viewing enjoyment. The event will span across three blocks on lower King Street, and around Market Square - near Old Town’s waterfront.
The festival is free to spectators and open to all. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the USO (Metro Washington Baltimore) and Alexandria non-profit ALIVE! which provides short-term to long-term support for those less fortunate in the community.
The 2019 inaugural event drew thousands of families, visitors, and car enthusiasts from across the region to view the array of high-performance and racing vehicles from the 1950’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. The event also will feature a special fashion demonstration in which local boutiques, salons, and area retail brands will showcase styles from the themed cars on display. The fashion demonstration will take place from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The night before the Festival, The King Street High-Octane Ball will take place from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. This ticketed, dress-up event celebrates the “Style” element of Speed & Style and underscores the importance of style when amalgamated with exotic vehicles. Food prepared by local restaurants, wine, libation, and live music will be featured in this warmup to the big Festival the following day.
The Festival event will include live music and street vendors, and provide attendees an opportunity to explore Old Town shops and restaurants.
The festival is the brainchild of Rick Myllenbeck who is also the owner of Sonoma Cellar, a restaurant and wine tasting room based in Old Town and is co-produced by a group of Alexandria vintage car collectors, experts and enthusiasts who volunteer their time to coordinate this event.
EVENT DETAILS
What: 2nd Annual Old Town Festival of Speed & Style presented by Burke & Herbert Bank
When: Sunday, September 5, 2021
Where: King Street near Old Town Waterfront
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Fashion exhibition from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.)
Website: https://www.festivalspeedstylealex.com/ Cost: Free
Weather Plan: Rain or shine
Social Media:
Old Town Festival of Speed & Style
FB: FestivalSpeedStyleALX.com
Instagram: @FestivalofSpeedStyle
Burke & Herbert Bank
FB: BurkeHerbertBank
Twitter: @BurkeandHerbert
About Burke & Herbert Bank Burke & Herbert Bank, established in 1852, is the oldest bank in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the oldest continuously operating bank in the Washington, D.C. area. The Bank offers a full range of personal and business banking products and services designed to meet customers' banking, borrowing, and investing needs. Burke & Herbert Bank is headquartered in Alexandria and operates 25 branches in Northern Virginia. Member FDIC Learn more at burkeandherbertbank.com.
About Old Town Festival of Speed & Style The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style brings together exquisite cars and motorcycles, with enthusiasts of fashion, art, music, and style, to create a one-day festival of good energy and fun. It celebrates the heart and spirit of the Alexandria, VA community and highlights the elegance and style of Old Town. The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization chartered to generate funds to be donated to charitable organizations – both local and national.
2021 Charity Recipients USA Metro Washington-Baltimore - Mission: The USO strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. Learn more https://metro.uso.org/.
ALIVE!: Founded in 1969, ALIVE! is the largest private safety net for the needy in the city of Alexandria, VA, addressing short-term to long-term needs for those less fortunate in the community. Learn more at https://www.alive-inc.org/.