NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Cruise into Cheekwood Estate & Gardens during Father’s Day weekend to experience Exposition of Elegance: Classic Cars at Cheekwood. Stroll among over 100 impeccably maintained classic cars and vintage motorcycles from the early to mid-20th century during the dazzling two-day event that culminates with an 11-mile Tour d’Elegance through the city streets of Belle Meade.
Exposition of Elegance: Classic Cars at Cheekwood will be held June 15 and 16 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Tour d’Elegance will begin at 4 p.m. on Sunday.
From convertibles to roadsters, elegant automobiles from a bygone era shine against the backdrop of Cheekwood’s beautiful gardens. The timeless vehicles on display include a 1912 Overland 59T, 1931 Studebaker President, and 1941 Cadillac Series 62 Sedan Convertible. For the second consecutive year, pre- and post-war motorcycles from iconic manufacturers across the globe, including a 1909 Pierce Four and a 1933 Harley-Davidson VC with sidecar, will be displayed in Massey Auditorium inside Botanic Hall. Also, several European Micro Cars courtesy of the Lane Motor Museum, will be featured in the Frist Learning Center.
“The beautiful historic grounds of Cheekwood are the perfect backdrop to showcase such an exquisite selection of classic cars that pay tribute to the era in which the Cheek family resided at this magnificent estate,” said Cheekwood Board Trustee Barry Stowe. “Visitors to the Exposition of Elegance will marvel at the craftsmanship of these truly extraordinary cars while celebrating Father’s Day with activities designed for the entire family.”
New this year, commemorative artwork that captures the spirit of the event and era will be available for purchase. Artist Mattie Ree Neal’s custom design will be featured on limited edition prints for $60 and posters for $30. Members can purchase the decorative keepsake during a pre-sale starting June 3. The prints and posters will also be available for purchase the day of the event. Neal is a native Nashvillian and attended Lipscomb Academy. Her work has been displayed at the U.S. Capitol the Players Club of New York, and published in The Tennessean and International Artist Magazine.
Special musical performances, hands-on activities for kids, delicious offerings from local food trucks, and signature cocktails from bar kiosks will supercharge the weekend for car enthusiasts and first-time visitors alike.
Musical Performance Schedule
Vintage Vinyl Queens DJ’s will keep the timeless sounds flowing with a continuous stream of classic vinyl from the 1920s-1970s on the Arboretum Lawn Stage between band performances.
The High Gravity Barbershop Quartet will provide roaming performances from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
The Lakes Brass Quintet will be in the spotlight from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Kevin Williams & The Model T Jazz Revival will entertain guests from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
The Lambert Cup
The Lambert Cup is an award presented to one of the exhibitors who exemplifies the passion that Mark Lambert had for classic cars. The honor celebrates individuals who are not only avid enthusiasts but also dedicated historians and preservationists. An Indianapolis native, Lambert was a nationally known automobile historian, preservationist, and enthusiast. His eponymous classic car business was in a retired 1920s firehouse on Charlotte Avenue in Nashville. From this location, Lambert assisted countless automotive enthusiasts across the nation in building collections, restoring, maintaining, showing, and touring them, gaining further insight into the importance of their cars and the era in which they originated. In addition to operating his business, Lambert was a long-time and highly respected judge at the nation’s most prestigious classic car events, including the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, The Amelia and The Elegance at Hershey. Barry Stowe will present the 2024 Lambert Cup to Jim Stadler on June 15. Jim’s son George will accept the award on his behalf and the award will remain at Cheekwood with all the winners’ names engraved.
Ticket information
This is a special ticketed event. Tickets are currently on sale and range in price from $10 to $15 for members and $15 to $28 for non-members. All tickets can be purchased at cheekwood.org.
Exposition of Elegance: Classic Cars at Cheekwood is presented by Bank of America, sponsored by Andrews Transportation Group, and Your Williamson is the media sponsor.
About Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
With its intact and picturesque vistas, Cheekwood is distinguished as one of the leading Country Place Era estates in the nation. Formerly the family home of Mabel and Leslie Cheek, the 1930s estate, with its 30,000-square-foot Mansion and 55 acres of gardens, today serves the public as a botanical garden, arboretum, and art museum with furnished period rooms and permanent collection galleries devoted to American art from the 18th to mid-20th centuries. The property includes 13 distinct gardens including the Blevins Japanese Garden and the Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden, as well as a 1.5-mile woodland trail featuring outdoor monumental sculpture. Each year, Cheekwood hosts seasonal festivals, including Cheekwood in Bloom, Summertime at Cheekwood, Cheekwood Harvest, and Holiday LIGHTS. Cheekwood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and nationally as a Level II Arboretum. It is a three-time voted USA Today Top 10 Botanical Garden and, in 2021, was recognized by Fodor’s as one of the 12 Most Beautiful Gardens in the American South. Cheekwood is located eight miles southwest of downtown Nashville at 1200 Forrest Park Drive. It is open Tuesday through Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., with extended days and hours of operation depending on the season. Check cheekwood.org for current hours and to purchase advance tickets required for admission.
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