The 15th Annual Ferrari and Friends Concorso will be held in West Hartford Center on Sunday, June 28, 2015.

Vintage, classic and modern Italian cars lined LaSalle Road during the 14th Annual Concorso Ferrari & Friends event on June 29, 2014. We-Ha.com file photo

By Ronni Newton

Patients from Connecticut Children’s Medical Center will have the opportunity to take the ride of a lifetime, and casual observers will also have a rare chance to see some of the finest high-powered Italian sportscars all in one place at the 15th annual Ferrari & Friends Concorso in West Hartford on Sunday, June 28.

Much of the Concorso event, which benefits Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, will be held on LaSalle Road in West Hartford Center. The event, which is presented by the Ferrari Club of America/New England Region, attracts thousands of spectators each year who come to admire more than 150 spectacular vehicles. The line-up of high-powered Italian sports cars includes not only Ferraris, but also Maseratis, Lamborghinis, Fiats, and Alfa Romeos.

According to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, last year there were 12,000 attendees and 175 vehicles on display. Over the past 14 years, the event has raised more than $1 million for local children’s charities.

Proceeds from this year’s event will support a state-of-the-art Center for Procedural Excellence at the medical center, which will provide patient families “easy access to other nearby services, such as Radiology and Dentistry, while providing more convenient, centralized care,” according to the website.

A major part of the Concorso is the “Parade of Kids,” which commences at 10 a.m. at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center facility at 399 Farmington Ave. in Farmington. That’s where drivers pick up their “co-pilots,” and head to West Hartford Center. The parade is expected to arrive at approximately 10:45 a.m., and the vehicles will remain on display until 3 p.m. when the command “Drivers Start Your Engines” will be given to begin a choreographed departure.

According to a news release from the Town of West Hartford, when the parade arrives in the Center the children will be greeted by a representative of the Italian government, who will name them “honorary citizens of Italy.”

A driver and VIP lunch, vendor tents, a silent auction, and judging for prizes such as “Best in Show” and “Kids Choice” will also be part of the Concorso.

There is no admission charge to attend the Ferrari & Friends Concorso. More information is available on the Ferrari & Friends website. To see the list of event sponsors, click here.

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Vintage, classic and modern Italian cars lined LaSalle Road during the 14th Annual Concorso Ferrari & Friends event on June 29, 2014. We-Ha.com file photo