Alexandria Living Magazine
The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style, presented by Burke & Herbert Bank, will make its third annual return this weekend, Sunday, May 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Event organizers are excited to welcome back Alexandria-based Burke & Herbert Bank as the presenting sponsor for this free single-day event which will feature an amazing collection of rare and unusual cars from around the world.
The event will stretch across the 200 - 400 blocks of King Street, and the 100 blocks of North Royal and North Fairfax – around Market Square – in Old Town Alexandria. Burke & Herbert Bank was the presenting sponsor for last year’s festival, held in September.
“We are delighted to support this wonderful community event taking place right here in our hometown,” said David P. Boyle, president and chief executive officer of Burke & Herbert Bank.
“In addition to offering a fun, family-friendly outing for thousands of car and fashion enthusiasts across the region, the festival brings business to the local restaurants, boutiques, and merchants that make our hometown so special," he noted. "And perhaps most importantly, the festival proceeds benefit local non-profit organizations who support those in need in our community.
Given our ongoing commitment to supporting the communities in which we do business, this event is a great match for Burke & Herbert Bank,” he said.
Event spectators will be able to view and enjoy dozens of rare and exotic cars up close. The event will include a mix of Grand Touring sports and racing cars from the 1950s through the 1980s, vintage motorcycles and stunning and elegant modern-day exotic cars rarely seen in public.
Along with the spectacle the cars are sure to be, the event will be elevated by a fashion demonstration led and emceed by celebrity stylist from “Say Yes to the Dress – Atlanta,” Monte Durham, from Alexandria’s Salon MONTE. This year’s planned theme is celebrating style icon Jackie Kennedy Onassis. The festival includes live music provided by local musicians and displays and information from sponsoring companies and organizations.
The night before the festival, the King Street High-Octane Ball will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. This ticketed, dress-up event celebrates the “style” element of Speed & Style and underscores the importance of style when mixed with exotic vehicles. Food prepared by local restaurants, wine, libations, live music and a live auction are key elements in this warmup to the big festival the following day.
Proceeds will benefit USO Washington-Baltimore and Alexandria-based non-profits ALIVE!, and the Campagna Center. USO Washington-Baltimore provides much-needed support to America’s service members and their families. ALIVE! is dedicated to fighting poverty and hunger. The Campagna Center equips children and families with a comprehensive set of tools they need to thrive and succeed. Last year, The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, donated $26,000 to local charities.
The event is free and open to all spectators and will take place rain or shine.
The festival is the brainchild of Rick Myllenbeck, co-owner of Sonoma Cellar, a restaurant and wine-tasting room based in Old Town. The team producing the event are Alexandria vintage car collectors, experts and enthusiasts who volunteer their time to coordinate this event.
For more information visit https://www.festivalspeedstylealex.com/.
