On September 5, 2014 the age old canyons of Watkins Glen will echo with the sounds of Vintage
Sports Cars.  This yearly pilgrimage brings many cars from "The Last Open Road" era, and drivers
who remember names like Trans AM, Can AM, and with a can of beer in hand, are happy to talk
about their past experiences at Watkins Glen, enjoying those races.

    The weekend starts with a Friday afternoon Car show in Downtown Watkins Glen.  Streets
are closed, cars are displayed, Food and Beverage Vendors sell, and car enthusiasts walk, talk
and take pictures.  The highlight of the day is the Vintage Race Reenactment where groups of cars
follow the original 6.6 mi, 1950's race course through the town, up into the mountains and back
to the town.  This event starts with the sounds of open exhausts as cars are lined by class to start
the 15 minute race reenactment.  Sports cars from Bugatti to Ford GT40, burn rubber and act like
horses getting ready to leave the starting gate. Both sides of the streets are packed with onlookers
watching and listening to the activities, hoping to see a vintage 800 hp McClaren Can Am car
accelerate down the street and up the long steep hill out of town.  Afterward, the streets remain
closed, bands perform, people drink, eat, wander up and down and talk cars. 

  Saturday and Sunday are Track days where some of the finest Vintage race cars in the country
come to perform on the 2 1/2 mile Watkins Glen race track.  The race track, pit garages and
bleachers all around the track are open for race car viewing and picture taking.  Cars can be
watched getting ready at the start-finish line for the next race, maneuvering the high speed
Chicane on the back straight, or coming up the hill from the "Anvil".   

  Comfortable accommodations are available, but are usually sold out well in advance.  Many
people Camp out at the Watkins Glen Race Track or at Watkins State Park, which is short distance
to the track.  Everything from old Vintage VW Camping Busses, huge Motor homes to Pup tents
can be seen.  

  If a weekend of watching and talking cars is not your idea of a fun weekend, the Watkins Glen
area offers many other attractions.  52 Wineries circle Lake Seneca which starts at the North end of
downtown Watkins Glen.  Dinner cruises, restaurants, a large Marina, and Outlet shopping is
available right downtown.  A short drive away is the Corning glass works with tours through the
Stuben Glass blowing works.  Hiking up and down the Gorge is also popular.