Now in its second decade, Florida’s Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance has become one of the country’s top automotive happenings. It is perhaps the closest thing to Pebble Beach week east of the Mississippi. Held the second full weekend in March, “Amelia” draws nearly 250 rare vehicles from collections from around the world to The Golf Club of Amelia Island and The Ritz-Carlton at Amelia Island. Since 1996, the show’s foundation has donated over $2.5 million to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, Inc. and other charities.

The concours is only part of what has become a series of automotive events that are held in the community that week. Four auction houses hold sales, which have become big attractions and seem to lure more visitors every year. The festivities also include the Vintage Grand Prix, Festivals of Speed, the Werks Reunion for Porsche enthusiasts and a host of other activities and events.

Following is a rundown of all the important happenings during Amelia week:

BONHAMS AUCTION — March 9

The Fernandina Beach Golf Course on the Amelia Island Parkway across from municipal airport will play host to Bonham’s sale on March 9. Bidding begins at 11 a.m. Thursday with preview sessions from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. Admission is $20 or $100 for two with a full catalog. Bidder registration is $150.

Headlining the list of early consignments is a 1911 Pierce-Arrow Model 48 touring, 1927 Bentley 4 ½ Liter Sports Tourer by Vanden Plas; 1954 Arnolt-Bristol Roadster prototype; 1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT Alloy; 1961 Jaguar E-Type Series I “External Bonnet Latch” roadster; and a 1978 Rolls-Royce Camargue once owned by Sammy Davis Jr.

For information, visit www.bonhams.com/amelia

RM SOTHEBY’S AUCTION — March 9-10

RM Sotheby’s 19th annual Amelia Island auction at the Ritz-Carlton has been extended to two days with a private collection to be offered during its own dedicated sale on Friday, March 10. RM’s traditional Amelia Island sale, featuring a high-end selection of 80 automobiles, will follow March 11.

The Orin Smith Collection includes one of the world’s finest groups of coachbuilt Rolls-Royces and Bentleys. In total, 22 vehicles from the two marques will be featured including an authentic 1929 Phantom I Henley Roadster by Brewster; an award-winning 1948 Silver Wraith Cabriolet by Franay; the ex-Raymond Gentile 1934 Phantom II Continental Drophead Sedanca Coupe by Gurney Nutting; a 1947 Mark VI Cabriolet, one of two bodied by Franay and featuring one-off coachwork commissioned by its original owner, A.J. Liechti; and a factory left-hand-drive 1952 R-Type Continental Fastback Sports Saloon by H.J. Mulliner.

Preview sessions are open to the public and will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. Bidding will begin at 5 p.m. Friday and resume at 11 a.m. Saturday. Bidder registration is $300. Admission is open to registered bidders only.

For information, visit www.rmsothebys.com.

HOLLYWOOD WHEELS AUCTION — March 10-11

Hollywood Wheels will host two days of sales March 10-11 at the Omni Plantaton Resort. Cars on the menu can be seen in a preview session from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday. The 50-plus-lot Sports Car Auction will run from 4 to 8 p.m. Among the highlights will be a Porsches from almost all eras; a 1966 Corvette roadster; 1957 Chrysler 300-C; 1958 Dodge Royal Lancer Super D-500; 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary Edition; 1950 Mercury Leo Lyons Custom; 1957 BMW Isetta 300; and 1953 Cadillac Eldorado convertible.

For information, visit www.hollywoodwheels.com

GOODING & CO. AUCTION — March 10

Gooding’s sale is set for March 10 at Racquet Park on the Omni Amelia Isand Plantation at 6800 First Coast Hwy. Bidding starts at 11 a.m. Admission is $30, or $75 for two with a catalogue. Previews will be held March 9-10 at 9 a.m.

Among the sale’s biggest attractions will be a 1949 Aston Martin DB Mk II originally owned by gear and tractor magnate David Brown. Other stars figure to be a 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider America, and a 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Vantage.

For more information, visit www.goodingco.com

MOTOSTALGIA AUCTION — March 11

Motostalgia Auctions will offer more than 80 cars at its March 11 sale, held at 4171 Amelia Island Parkway in Fernandina Beach. The Open House Cocktail Preview is Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. with preview sessions running March 9-11 beginning at 10 a.m. each day.

The Motostalgia docket is filled with supercars, exotics, American muscle cars and many rare and coveted machines. Among the headliners will be a 1970 Plymouth Superbird, 1937 Cord 812, 1958 Maserati 450S Evocation, 1931 Stutz SV16 cabriolet, 1968 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2, and 1964 Ferrari 330 GT.

For more information, visit www.motostalgia.com.

FESTIVALS OF SPEED — March 10

The event kicks off Friday night, March 10, 2017, with a luxury lifestyle cocktail reception featuring a display of the world’s most exotic cars, custom-created motorcycles and luxury lifestyle products. Learn more at 352-385-9450 or
www.festivalsofspeed.com

AMELIA ISLAND CONCOURS — March 12

March 12: All of the automotive events in Amelia Island during March build to the 22nd Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, a display of nearly 250 rare and exotic vehicles at the Ritz-Carlton’s The Golf Club of Amelia Island. Other events officially affiliated with the concours run until concours day on March 12.For a complete schedule, go to www.ameliaconcours.org. More details can be acquired by calling 904-636-0027.

THURSDAY, MARCH 9

The Shop at the Concours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m; The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Santa Maria 1

The Amelia Island Concours Silent Auction, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.; The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island Plaza 2

Guardians of Porsche Wine Maker’s Dinner; 6:30 p.m.; The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Talbot Ballroom; $310 per person. Reservations required: www.ameliaconcours.org

FRIDAY, MARCH 10

The Porsche Driving Experience, 7 a.m.; Departs from the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport. Driver’s meeting at 7 a.m. Activities include a ride with a professional driver and an entrant participation autocross. $250 per car (2 people included). Open to the public, reservations required: www.ameliaconcours.org, Ownership of a Porsche not required. Must be 21 years of age.

Reliable Carriers Eight Flags Road Tour, 8:30 a.m., Departs from The Ritz-Carlton main driveway. The tour stops at various points on and around Amelia Island and concludes with a public display and lunch in downtown Fernandina Beach. Open to Concours-registered vehicles only.

The Shop at the Concours, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Santa Maria 1.

Test Drives – Various Manufacturers, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., The Ritz-Carlton & The Golf Club of Amelia Island, front driveway; complimentary.

Automobilia and LuxuryLifestyle Merchants, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Open to public.

The Amelia Island Concours Silent Auction, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island Plaza 2.

Book Signings, various times throughout the day; The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island Talbot Pre-Function.

Japanese Racing - The Men Behind the Victories Seminar, 3 p.m. Adam Carolla hosts a panel discussion with Peter Brock; Tommy Kendall; John Morton; Sam Posey and Chip Robinson; The Ritz-Carlton, Talbot Ballroom; $35 per person. Open to the public, limited seating. Poster signing follows.

SATURDAY, MARCH 11

MotorXpo, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Vendors and cars on display on the first hole of the Golf Club of Amelia Island, free admission.

Cars & Coffee at the Concours, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Over 400 classic and exotic cars from local car clubs will be displayed on the 1st, 10th and 18th fairways of the Golf Club of Amelia Island.Vehicles must be pre-registered to participate. Free Admission

The Shop at the Concours, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Santa Maria 1.

Test Drives – various manufacturers, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; The Ritz-Carlton & The Golf Club of Amelia Island, Front Driveway, free

The Amelia Island Concours Silent Auction, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island Plaza 2.

Legends of the Leaping Cat - Jaguar Racing Drivers Seminar, 10:30 a.m. Tommy Kendall moderates a panel with Bill Adam, Norman Dewis, Hurley Haywood, David Hobbs, Brian Redman, Chip Robinson and Bob Tullius; The Ritz-Carlton, Talbot Ballroom. $35 per person. Poster signing follows seminar.

Book Signings, various times throughout the day; The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island Talbot Pre-Function.

SUNDAY, MARCH 12

The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Golf Club of Amelia Island; General admission Adult: $120 day of show/$95 in advance; General admission student 12- 18 years old: $50; children under 12 admitted free with paying adult ticket; active duty military and immediate family: $50 with ID; General admission with early entry, 8:30 a.m.: $150 Limited quantities, must be purchased in advance.

Vintage Fashion Show presented by Fashion Group International, North Florida, Inc., Awards Tent, 11 a.m.

National Anthem Flyover, Judges Introduction, 11:30 a.m.

Awards Presentation – Awards Tent. Presentation includes Best in Show, Best in Class, Amelia and Corporate Awards, 4 p.m.

Concours and More: $225 per person includes: General admission ticket with early entry (8:30 a.m.), event poster and lunch inside The Ritz-Carlton. Limited availability, must be purchased in advance.

The Shop at the Concours, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Santa Maria 1.

Test Drives, various manufacturers, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; The Ritz-Carlton & The Golf Club of Amelia Island, Front Driveway, free.

Book Signings, various times throughout the day; The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island Talbot Pre-Function.