It was a beautiful day at the Concours d’elegance where many turned up to see the beautiful cars and bikes that were on display. There were going to be winners and losers at this event, but all the cars and bikes were worth a look whether they won or lost. Here are the winners.
After working for five (or six) days through the week, one needs time to bond with the family, meditate or rejuvenate prior to starting a new week. Weekends offer perfect opportunities for all these activities. There are plenty of events, some at subsidized costs, for individuals or family. This past weekend, all roads led to the Ngong Racecourse for the CBA Concours d’Elegance event went down. Vintage cars and motorcycles were showcased and from the look of things, this year’s event lived up to its billing. Massive crowds turned up for the event which ran up to around 9 P.M. I attended the event; I had a fair share of my highs and lows. The highs might make you yearn to attend the event; the lows will act like an eye opener for the organizers to make it even better next year. However, the organizers did a good job this time. Hongera to them.
HIGHS FROM THE EVENT
Nice cars and motorcycles at the event
This was the main reason why people turned up in those big numbers. Vintage cars as well as modern ones were showcased where people had the opportunity to re-live the gone good days. Cars that were manufactured as early as the beginning of the 19th century were on display at this event. The older models of the Rolls Royce, Jaguars, Ford and Land Rover cars among others really stood out. They were expertly painted and polished giving them that fresh-from-the-showroom look. Motorcycles stole the show for me. The blaring sound they produced as they vroomed past people made them even more appealing to look at. People were allowed to pose for photos on some of the bikes or just near them. Modern cars on display also had quite a good number of people admiring them.
Good food and drinks
Recognized eateries pitched tents at the event where meals were sold. Nyama choma, burgers, hot dogs, fries, chicken among others were aplenty. Different brands of beer, whiskey and other drinks were also readily available for the masses. There was enough food and drinks to appeal to both kids (Brookside was giving people Maziwa Mala bottles) and the adults.
Family Friendly
The entire event was family friendly as there was a specific place reserved for kids to play and just have fun as their parents explored the cars or networked with other people who attended. Even toddlers could be seen at the event clutching at their parents’ hands or on their mother’s backs.
Security
In the light of the insecurity menace experienced in the country, the organizers beefed up security to ensure safety of all the attendees. All the check points were assigned to people who left nothing to chance. They did a great job and you felt like you were safe because the security check was not one done for the sake of appearing to take care of security. Opening bags, frisking people to prevent a harmful gadget from getting to the arena where people gathered or in the fields where cars were on display.
Good Music
The people who waited for the closure of the event later in the evening were treated to some good music from Elani who gave an electrifying performance. They sang their well-known-songs as people sang along occasionally stopping to applaud the group. For almost one and a half hours that the group was on stage, the crowd was fully entertained. When DJ Joe Mfalme went on the podium for his mix of songs, almost everyone went crazy. He played different genres of songs that had everyone on their feet singing and dancing. This was a nice way to end the event.
LOWS FROM THE EVENT
Traffic
Ngong Road turned to a parking lot, almost literally as people were made to wait in crazy traffic that stretched for a far distance. Impatient drivers tried overlapping further worsening the situation. Frustration was evident on the faces of people who were running late. Those using public means of transport alighted and used boda boda motorcycles from THE JUNCTION. They ended up paying hefty amounts as fare. Those on private cars wished they could take the same route to at least get to the event in time.
Short Affair
Many people had anticipated to attend this event. They turned up in large numbers; some ended up being caught in traffic and never had the chance to get to Ngong Race Course in time. Time was not enough as well for people to sample all the cars and get to the details about each one of them. The organizers may consider running it for more than one day.
Thugs at the bus terminus
There were rogue young men who stood at the bus terminus used by the people who were leaving the event after its closure. They masqueraded as conductors and robbed people of their valuables. From phones, wallets, purses, watches, cameras among others. In as much as it’s a personal responsibility to safeguard their valuables, the organizers may consider beefing security for the attendees until they all leave the premises of Ngong Race course.
All in all it was a great event and I can’t wait for next year’s CBA Concours d’Elegance.
