History of the Chico Concours d’Elegance
1979
The Chico Concours d’Elegance had its beginning in 1979 as the brainchild of Mr. Todd Radke, a local automobile enthusiast and then Director of the Chico Visitor and Convention Bureau.
The Bureau was an adjunct of the Chico Chamber of Commerce and was charged with the responsibility of promoting events that would bring visitors to the city of Chico. The first Concours was held at the Silver Dollar Fairground and was an immediate success.
1982
In 1982, the Chico Concours volunteers approached the Chico Active 20-30 Club to see if that group would be interested in taking over sponsorship of the event. The 20-30 Club had previously taken responsibility for concessions at the Concours and was interested in the event as a means of raising money for their community service work.
The 20-30 Club accepted the invitation and ran the show for the next three years, along with KHSL Radio/TV as a Co-sponsor. Art Gausemel and Glenn Geer of the 20-30 Club were chairmen for the 1982 and 1983 Concours.
All the funds raised by the events were donated to the Butte Special Olympics. The theme car for 1982 was Mercedes-Benz and for 1983 was Ford Thunderbird.
1984
In 1984 the chairmanship passed to Glenn Geer and David Ricci. They chose Rolls-Royce as the theme car. In following years Packard motor cars, the cars of Britain, Italy, the 1930s and 1950s were all featured.
After the 1984 show the 20-30 Club realized that the Chico Concours d’ Elegance had grown to the point where it was simply too large and complex to be handled efficiently by a single organization, even though individuals outside the organization had volunteered many hours of free time. It was therefore decided to turn the Concours over to an independent Board of Directors for administration and organization.
1985
In 1985 Chico Concours d’Elegance, Inc., was formed as a nonprofit charitable corporation with David Ricci, Glenn Geer, Gary Marquis, Mike Webster and Gary Estep as members of the new Board of Directors. Each Director was known for interest in automobiles and either business or community service experience.
1986
In 1986 the Concours moved from the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds to its present location on the lawn area in front of Kendall Hall on the California State University, Chico Campus. The University provides a park-like setting and also serves to further connect the show to the downtown area of Chico and to the academic and artistic communities of Northern California.
1989
Paul Tullius and Roy Carter, both of whom have been automotive enthusiasts for many years were invited to join the Board In 1989.
1998
Dave Chamberlain brought his experience with vintage race cars to the Board in 1998.
1999
In 1999 Dino Corbin, who was the first Chief Judge and was instrumental in setting up the first Chico Concours d’Elegance in 1978 returned to the Board of Directors. Also in 1999, Pat Kopp who had been on the staff at California State University, Chico (CSUC) and has been active in community entertainment and educational programs for many years joined as a member.
2000
Joining us in 2000 was Phil Papeman of Butte Community Bank who brings a wealth of business, retail and marketing expertise. He is in charge of all marketing materials, website development and computer support services.
2002
Joining the Board in 2002 was Stephanie Yule, who is Director of Risk Management at California State University, Chico and the proud owner of a lovely 1959 Jaguar Mark I 2.4 Litre Saloon. Ms. Yule is our Director of Judging and also handles all show registrations.
2004
Dean Fregoso joined us in April 2004 as our chief design guy. When not working behind his computer as a graphic designer, Dean can be found wrenching on his 1964 Ranchero or in pursuit of a 1976 Porsche 912E. The board extends our sincerest gratitude to Dean for his continuing excellent, reliable and affordable assistance.
2005
Gregg Mowers, a well-known real estate businessman from Paradise who has been an automotive enthusiast for a number of years, joined the Board of Directors in 2005.
2006
Our newest member of the Board is Mr. Glen Estrada. Glen is a Corvette enthusiast and his car was used on the commemorative poster for 2003 when Corvette was our featured marque. Glen started out volunteering his time to assist with our sales area at the Concours and did such an enthusiastic and energetic job he was unanimously drafted into full Board membership in 2006.
2007
Phil Papeman retired as marketing materials guru, and was replaced by Anne Marie Larsen who is a recent transplant from Michigan, where she was a Professor of Business at Finlandia University and is now working at both Butte Community College and California State University, Chico as a professor of mathematics.
2008
The delightful and hard working Ms. Stephanie Yule retired from CSU, Chico and moved to the hinterlands of Washington State. Her most able assistant, Lino Ricci, has now joined the Chico Concours Board of Directors and will also assume the responsibilities of Chief Judge of Concours.
2009
2009, the 31st year for the Chico Concours d’Elegance featured the cars of General Motors on its 100th anniversary. We had a very nice turnout of well over a hundred fine examples of automotive art and engineering, not only from General Motors, but all the other American manufacturers as well as many foreign marques.
It also marked both an end and a beginning for the Concours, since it was the last year the event would be held at California State University, Chico, and ushers in new opportunities, and challenges, as the Concours moves to its new location in 2010 at Butte Creek Country Club, just south of Chico. It will be an exciting time for Concours since it will provide much more space for exhibits, vendors and family oriented activities in a lovely country setting.
We are sad to lose the talents of Paul Tullius for 2010, who after many years of hard work on the Concours Board of Directors decided to hang up his Director’s Hat and take a well deserved break from all that work, concentrating instead on showing his fine cars at Concours all over California and traveling to automotive events abroad. Well done, Paul. We will miss you on the Board, but will look forward to your presence at our show as an exhibitor, and as an ambassador for us at other Concours.
2010
2010, the 32nd year for the Chico Concours d’Elegance, the chosen marque was “A Field of Dreams.” The directors chose a wide open marque as we wanted to see what we might come up with in the way of new and unique entries. We were not disappointed!
Exhibitors brought out their own personal “dream” vehicles that ranged from classic American and foreign examples to motorcycles, hot rods, customs and even a Tahoe mahogany boat and several very old bicycles. That was the whole idea, put as many personal dreams on the field as possible, and it worked well. We had more exhibits than we have had in a very long time.
It was also our first year at Butte Creek Country Club and the expanded field space was very well used. Local car dealers brought out their finest examples for our Commercial Area and a wide variety of local merchants and service providers filled one side of the field area with vendor tents. We are indebted to the fine staff and management of Butte Creek Country Club for their all-out support as we planned and implemented the show at its new venue.
A VIP area for exhibitors was added, much to the delight of those exhibitors wanting a nice indoor place to cool off and enjoy a little food and bar service. We had our first ever Concours Fashion Show thanks to Jadee Carter and her friends. The Concours Gala held the night before the Concours was sponsored by the Country Club and excellent food and great music for dancing was enjoyed by all.
We are set for 2011! Because of the date, September 11, 2011, we hope to have a patriotic observance as a part of the Concours. Come join us!
