More than 100 classic and special edition automobiles will be on display for the thousands of people expected to attend the 29th annual Great Neck Plaza AutoFest and Street Festival. Highlighting this year’s AutoFest will be the one-of-a-kind 1926 Stutz “Speedster,” custom built for Cornelius and Grace Vanderbilt. In addition, The Meade Brothers, D.A.M.G.D. Radio and the top 12 finalists from the Business Improvement District’s second annual Great Neck Plaza Idol Karaoke Competition series will be performing live.
“We continue to host this tremendous festival and our many other community events every year because of the wonderful opportunities they present to our local businesses,” said Jay Corn, Great Neck Plaza BID vice president and Events Committee chairperson. “Every year we receive tremendous feedback from the thousands of visitors who attend our festival and we look forward to seeing everybody back again this year.”
Michael Lamoretti, president of United Capital Corporation, the festival’s sponsor, said, “The BID’s AutoFest is a unique opportunity for us to give back to our community every year. It is special to see all of the different people from the Great Neck region and throughout the entire metropolitan area come together and enjoy the day.”
This year’s marquee vintage vehicle, the Stutz “Speedster,” features the Vanderbilt family colors, maroon and black, and was part of the introduction of the original “Vertical Eight” engine. The vehicle’s custom engine produced a higher horsepower than its competitors at the time, including the Cadillac, Duesenberg, Kissel, Lincoln, Packard and Wills Sainte Claire. The vintage vehicle also features a fitted “connestoga” top.
The Stutz “Speedster” is owned by author, historian, Vanderbilt trustee and Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum board president Steven Gittelman. Gittelman will be in attendance at this year’s AutoFest to discuss the history of the car and the legacy of the Vanderbilt family on Long Island. Gittelman is scheduled to publish “Alva,” his third book on Vanderbilt’s, in the fall. He has also authored “Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt: The Unlikely Hero of the Lusitania” and “Willie K. Vanderbilt II: A Biography.”
The top 12 finalists from the BID’s karaoke competition series will perform at the festival with the hope of winning Great Neck Plaza Idol. The finalists first performed at the opening rounds of the karaoke competition at the BID’s Summer Promenade Nights held on July 25 and Aug. 15. Last year’s winners, Jenna Pasqua, Maggie Doherty and Eileen Braham, will serve as judges for this year’s finals.
The festival will take place on Sunday, Sept. 29 from 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. All automobile registrations at this year’s festival will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project. Attendees at this year’s festival will also have the opportunity to donate to the non-profit organization.
The day-long event draws a crowd of thousands and features live entertainment, rock climbing walls, a petting zoo, carnival games, inflatable bouncers and showcases the sights, sounds and flavors of Great Neck Plaza. Log onto www.shopgreatneck.com or call (516) 829.1301 to learn more about the Great Neck Plaza BID and this year’s AutoFest and Street Festival.
