By Randy Wright
The morning of 9/11/2021 broke crisp and clear, similar to the one 20 years ago that is burned into the memory of every American. But this morning promised the return of a Hickory area tradition, the 8th annual Autolawn Party after a one year Covid induced absence.
The Autolawn Party is an exciting, community event held the weekend after Labor Day on the SALT Block lawn in Hickory next to its beneficiary, Hickory Museum of Art. The Autolawn Party is an outdoor celebration of the road’s number one traveler – the automobile! The Euro Classic Car Show offers a wide-range of high quality, original European vehicles in an intimate, yet informal setting, without the pressure of a traditional Concours event. Admission is free for spectators!
Every year the Autolawn has a theme. In the past this theme has consisted of a featured marque. This year, in a deviation from that tradition, the theme featured the roadster. A roadster (also known as spider, spyder) is defined as an open two-seat car with emphasis on sporting appearance or character. Initially an American term for a two-seat car with no weather protection, usage has evolved to include two-seat convertibles. The entries were opened to non-European roadsters and a special judging category was included for roadsters.
This year’s event, being on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks included a special 9/11 Patriot Day Commemoration Ceremony supported by the Hickory Police and Fire Departments, the Mayor of the City of Hickory and other dignitaries.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Check-in & Registration
8:46 AM 9/11 Patriot Day National Moment of Silence 10:00 AM Event Opens to Spectators
10:30-11:15 AM 9/11 Patriot Day Commemoration Ceremony 11:15 AM - 1:30 PM Voting
1 PM Guided Exhibition Tour
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM Beer Garden & Food Trucks
1:00-3:00 PM Music with Hickory Music Factory
2:30 PM Awards Ceremony
3:00 PM Closing
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2021
9:00 AM Catawba Valley British Motor Club Sunday Drive
Being located and benefiting the Hickory Museum of Art, the Museum was open and free of charge during the event, another added bonus. Participants and Spectators enjoyed live music and food/drink available from several food trucks.
CVBMC had several members in attendance. Gene Spainhour exhibited part of his Morgan Collection and Randy Wright his Z3. Several other members were spotted attending the show as spectators, Erik Jordan, David Poe and Harley Blodgett.
The weather was outstanding and attendance was good. It seems that after a year of Covid, the Euro Car community in Hickory was ready to celebrate!
If you have never attended an Autolawn Party, you should mark your calendar for the Saturday following Labor Day in 2022. You’ll be glad you did!
