The 2023 edition of the June Klingberg Motorcar Series and the Pre-war Concours d’Elegance has been suspended, say event organizers for a time of planning and rebuilding, with plans to return in 2024.
The spring tradition of vintage cars making their way through the streets of New Britain and up Linwood Street to Klingberg Family Centers is being suspended due to the departure from the organization of a number of key people. The organization says,
Gail Lebert, Aimee (Bush) Benitez, and Mark Johnson have been the main planners and producers of the Klingberg Motorcar Events for the past 7 years. Gail retired June 30th, 2022; Aimee has resigned to take her dream job; and Mark is retiring from his full-time position as of March 31st, remaining in only a part-time position.
The Klingberg Motorcar Series organizers say that, “Finding the right people to take our places has been a difficult and rather time-consuming task, and this has led to the decision to declare 2023 to be a year of planning for a strong return of the motorcar events in 2024,” adding that,
Whatever the future brings, we have appreciated your involvement in the Klingberg Vintage Motorcar Series. Together we have supported many programs helping traumatized children over many years as we created an incredible event for the past 30 years. Words can’t express how much we appreciate you. Stay tuned for updates as we plan for the future.
Klingberg says that Mark Johnson’s successor, as Vice President for Development is Kara Preston, saying, “She comes with many years of experience and enthusiasm that will carry Klingberg’s mission into the future.”
Klingberg Family Centers says that it was founded in 1903 and,
is a private, nonprofit multi-service agency providing help to thousands of persons across Connecticut each year. Our goal is to extend hope and healing to children and families whose lives have been traumatized by abuse and/or neglect in its various forms, severe family problems and mental health issues. Through an array of group care, special education, foster care and community programs, children and parents are given the encouragement and skills they need to function more effectively at home, in school and in their community.
Klingberg is located at 370 Linwood Street.
