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Photo by Mary Ann Barton
One of the classic cars parked outside Principle Gallery Thursday night.
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Photo by Mary Ann Barton
(L-r): Rick Myllenbeck, Monte Durham, Dan Via and Jason May pause for a photo Thursday night outside Principle Gallery in Old Town Alexandria.
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Photo by Mary Ann Barton
Rick Myllenbeck addresses the crowd Thursday night at Principle Gallery.
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Photo by Mary Ann Barton
Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson stops by to support organizers of the Old Town Festival of Speed & Style.
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Photo by Mary Ann Barton
Principle Gallery owner Michele Marceau Ward and artist Tom Kuester unveil his artwork, the official poster for the 2021 Old Town Festival of Speed & Style.
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Photo by Mary Ann Barton
Close-up of art poster for Old Town Festival of Speed & Style.
Organizers and sponsors of the Old Town Festival of Speed & Style gathered Thursday night at Principle Gallery in Old Town Alexandria to unveil the official poster for the event by artist and Alexandria resident Tom Kuester.
The event returns Sunday, Sept. 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a car show on several blocks of King Street and Market Square featuring rare and unusual cars from the '50s to the '80s.
The King Street High Octane Ball, (partly sponsored by Alexandria Living Magazine), will take place the night before, on Saturday, Sept. 4 from 7:30-9:30 p.m., featuring live music, catered food, wine, libations, a silent auction and more. (Stay tuned for more details.)
Thursday night, event founder Rick Myllenbeck (who also owns Sonoma Cellar, 20
7 King St.), thanked the main sponsors Burke & Herbert Bank and McEnearney Associates Realtors and noted that the event will raise money for two charities: ALIVE! and USO of Metro Washington.
Mayor Justin Wilson stopped by the gallery to throw his support behind the event, which drew 10,000 people at its inaugural show in 2019.
"It's always a little unusual for me to do a 'Speed & Style' thing because I drive a Prius," he said. "This is going to be one of the first big events we're going to have back in Old Town in the 'after.' We're so excited. It's rapidly
becoming an event that everyone in the region looks forward to. It's going to be a really great day."
Principle Gallery owner Michelle Marceau Ward, whose gallery has been in business at 208 King St., for 25 years and sits just two blocks from the water, said retailers and restaurants in Old Town are excited about the return of the event this year.
"We love the energy this brings, we're glad it's back and we want to support it any way we can," she said.
Artist Tom Kuester, who has a background in industrial design, said he was inspired by Old Town. "I like cars, I like drawing," he said. The 2021 poster features six classics cars parked at Market Square.
Elizabeth Myllenbeck described the "style" part of the event to the crowd. She noted that the King Street High-Octane Ball will include a "step and repeat," vintage cars, catering from local restaurants, dancing and live music. "But the big thing about this ball is, it's a fancy dress party," she said. "You get to dress up in '50s, '60s and '70s style clothing and [car] racing clothing of that era. I expect to see a lot of Audrey Hepburn out there, a lot of Jackie Onassis and a lot of beautiful gowns. It ought to be a lot of fun."
For more information about the festival, visit: https://www.festivalspeedstylealex.com
