The Event
The evening of August 27 will see Centennial Airport’s Signature Flight Support runways and parking area transformed into a stunning, world-class exhibit of vintage and exceptionally-crafted vehicles; including airplanes, automobiles, and motorcycles.
Guests at the 19th Annual Morgan Adams Concours d’Elegance fundraiser will view over 125 entrants including exotic and timeless classic street and race cars, more than 45 custom private jets and extraordinary period aircraft, and 50 or more highly coveted classic motorcycles, while enjoying a walk-about feast with samples from some of the area’s finest restaurants.
Proceeds will benefit The Morgan Adams Foundation, a local 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the quality of life and survival rates of children diagnosed with pediatric cancers.
According to Joan Slaughter, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Morgan Adams Foundation, “The collection of machinery that we are able to put together every year really is staggering, when you think about it. The breadth of it all is pretty amazing when it all comes together. But beyond that, to know ALL of our guests and exhibitors (and 125 volunteers) come together to make a huge difference in how we care for the kids and teens with cancer who are the reason behind our work – that is what makes this an incredible evening like no other I know of anywhere.”
Speaking of her appreciation for the exhibitors, Slaughter continued, “We will be showing a 1936 Delahaye Type 135CS from The Mullin Museum in California. This race car raced an enormous amount, and took 1st place at the 1938 Le Mans Grand Prix. It is amazing that it’s still in action today, after surviving eight owners, dozens of races, numerous crashes and a ‘slight searing’ after its transportation truck caught fire once. And then we get to juxtapose that with a 2022 ‘Liquid Carbon’ Ford GT, a newly available, limited edition Ford GT model that emphasizes the GT’s lightweight, sculpted carbon fiber body that is completely free of paint and coated with a very special clear coat that highlights the carbon fiber weave – a truly beautiful car.”
The Reason
Morgan Adams was 5-years old when she was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme brain tumor. She faced her many treatments - surgery, chemotherapy, blood transfusions - with bravery and fortitude, never complaining. There were glimmers of success, so many achievements exceeding doctors’ expectations, but the family was devastated to learn the tumor had recurred. Morgan battled her cancer for 11 months before she succumbed to the disease. She was home with family when she passed peacefully on November 7th, 1998, at the age of 6.
Two years after Morgan died, her parents Steven Adams and Joan Slaughter joined the Oncology Advisory Board at The Children’s Hospital in Denver as a way to learn more about research and treatment options for childhood cancer, and to take a more active role in addressing the unmet needs in the field of pediatric cancer research.
As a result of their work with the Board, they asked a small group of friends to help a host a fundraiser to benefit pediatric cancer research. Artma, now a hugely-anticipated biennial art auction, was held in 2001. Based on that success and the response from the community, an additional fundraiser, the Morgan Adams Concours d’Elegance, began in 2003.
Slaughter remembers, “When we started the event in 2003, we were one of the only ‘hangar parties’ in the country and it has been an incredibly special thing to build this event over the past 19 years. It has grown tremendously and we have had the privilege of sharing with our guests some truly exceptional machines, many never seen outside museums. It’s so exciting, and we’re incredibly grateful to have been able to build something that our guests and patrons love, and that keeps them coming back year after year.”
The Promise
The Morgan Adams Foundation raises money and awareness on behalf of children with cancer. They use donations to directly fund pediatric cancer research and therapies that will improve survival rates and reduce the devastating side effects of cancer treatments. The Foundation also provides financial support for families in need during their child’s treatment.
Their promise, “We promise to continue funding hope until we fund a cure.”
Tickets and Event Details for Morgan Adams Concours d’Elegance: morganadamsconcours.org
Learn More or Donate to The Morgan Adams Foundation: morganadamsfoundation.org
