This On The Move spotlights the Dream Ride Experience, one of the largest automotive events in the northeast and one that focuses on giving Special Olympics participants the ride of their lives.
Before diving in, hosts Matt Avery and John Kraman get up to speed with all that’s new in the car world, including the running of the 104th Indy 500. The guys talk about the NBC television coverage and how Sage Karam, sponsored by Mecum Auctions, will be competing in the No. 24 car. With a new Mecum Magazine available on digital newsstands, Matt and John divulge what they penned in their respective columns. John opens the conversation with his look at the link between the iconic Buick GSX and the rock band The Doors. Then, Matt jumps into the deep end on the "Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63," a limited-edition luxury yacht the auto brand is creating. The craft features twin V-12 engines, carbon fiber design elements and a price tag in the millions. The guys swing to the latest with Ford and how the company is doing away with the Fusion sedan as well as the Shelby GT350, and then its charging to a look at Cadillac’s debut of the LYRIQ, its first all-electric vehicle. Matt and John love the sophisticated styling but aren’t sure the planned 300 miles of range will be competitive when, and if, the stunner comes to market.
Next, Matt and John are joined by two special guests from the Dream Ride Experience: former Miss Connecticut USA 2018 and Relationship Manager for the Hometown Foundation Jamie Hughes and the Dream Show Lead Judge and President and CEO of Motorcars Inc. Dean Cusano.
The Dream Ride experience, to be held August 21-23 at the Farmington Polo Club in Farming, Connecticut, is celebrating its 20th anniversary and is the signature fundraising event of The Hometown Foundation, Inc. The weekend includes the Dream Cruise, a police-escorted journey on Saturday where drivers pair up with Dream Riders in their classic/exotic vehicles for a 12-mile cruise, as well as the Dream Show, which features cars and motorcycles and the Dream Ride, a Sunday motorcycle tour through the Farmington, Connecticut, countryside. All of the activities celebrate the achievements of the Dream Riders, Special Olympics athletes and individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities from more than 25 different states and three countries. The experience honors these men, women and children living with intellectual disabilities in our communities. This weekend event and year-round movement highlights their determination and willingness to persevere, overcome challenges and shatter stereotypes. The Dream Ride Experience advocates for inclusion and building friendships amongst not only the Dream Riders, but also with the participants and attendees. The event also features a Pet Adoption Center, delicious food, live entertainment and music, a Police K-9 Challenge, a Firefighters Chili Cook-Off, vendors, raffles and a family fun zone. In 2019, The Dream Ride Experience raised a record-breaking $2.4 million dollars, and, to date, more than $12.4 million has been donated to The Hometown Foundation.
This year, the show field will include six special vehicles from the personal collection of Dana Mecum. They include a Ford Roadster used in Hollywood movies including "Loving You" featuring Elvis Presley, a 1932 Ford McMullen Roadster, a 1933 Ford "Elgin" race car, a 1957 Chevrolet Corvette, a 1969 Shelby GT500 Convertible and a custom 2011 Chevrolet Camaro.
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