Over Labor Day weekend, Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut, will once again transform into a mecca for car collectors and racing enthusiasts.

From August 29 through September 1, 2025, the track hosts Historic Festival 43, an event that blends wheel-to-wheel vintage racing with one of the most scenic and diverse concours-style displays in the country.

“Historic Festival 43 is more than just a celebration of racing and rare cars—it’s a family tradition. Kids can marvel at the parade, explore rows of colorful classics during Sunday in the Park, and feel the thrill of racing just steps from the track.

For families, it’s a weekend where generations come together to share the love of cars and the excitement of motorsport.”

The weekend begins on Thursday with the Vintage Race Car and Sports Car Parade, a 17-mile drive that winds through Lakeville, Salisbury, and Falls Village.

More than just a procession, the parade immerses the local towns in the spirit of the festival, ending with a lively street fair where race cars and classic sports cars line the streets.

Lime Rock Festival As Crowds Gather For The Concours Car Show

Weekend Events

The Historic Festival 43 & Sunday in the Park Labor Day Weekend Events Include: Vintage Racing & Concours

• Vintage Race Car & Sports Car Parade – Thursday evening parade through local towns, ending with a street festival.
• Historic Racing – Friday, Saturday, and Monday feature nonstop on-track action with vintage race groups.
• Sunday in the Park Concours & Gathering of the Marques – Sunday transforms Lime Rock Park into a showcase of nearly 1,000 classic, exotic, and collector cars.
• Swap Meet & Special Exhibits – All weekend long, featuring automobilia, memorabilia, and guest authors.
• Piston Technician Award – Presented on Labor Day Monday to honor excellence in automotive craftsmanship.

On Friday, Saturday, and Monday, the focus shifts to the track. Lime Rock’s fast, natural-terrain circuit will showcase everything from pre-war open-wheel machines to 1950s and ’60s GTs, IMSA legends, and even turn-of-the-century production-based racers.

Featured groups include the Toyo Tires Historic World Challenge and the celebrated All-Triumph Kastner Cup, ensuring a wide variety of racing action. With its intimate layout and lush New England backdrop, Lime Rock offers spectators a rare chance to see historic cars pushed to their limits just a few feet away.

Sunday, however, takes on a completely different atmosphere. Known as Sunday in the Park, the day transforms Lime Rock’s 1.5-mile circuit into an open-air automotive museum.

Nearly 1,000 classic and exotic cars will be displayed in the Gathering of the Marques, arranged by make and model in long, continuous lines that stretch around the track.

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At the same time, the Lime Rock Concours invites an exclusive group of collector cars and motorcycles to compete for awards, creating a showcase that rivals some of the world’s best concours d’elegance.

This Award-Winning 1960 XNR Plymouth Concept Car Was Developed By Plymouth and Chrysler

Adding to the experience are special features that run throughout the weekend. Attendees can explore the bustling swap meet, meet celebrated authors and racing personalities, and enjoy vintage-themed entertainment such as the Hartford Men in Harmony barbershop quartet.

The popular Hemmings Experience returns with premium hospitality packages, including private tents, catered lunches, and exclusive viewing areas.

The weekend also highlights the people behind the cars, with the Piston Technician Award recognizing outstanding automotive technicians.

The award presentation on Labor Day underscores the event’s appreciation not just for cars, but for the craftsmanship that keeps them alive on track and on display.

Whether you come for the thrill of historic racing, the elegance of concours automobiles, or the camaraderie of fellow enthusiasts, Historic Festival 43 & Sunday in the Park delivers a uniquely American celebration of speed, style, and heritage.

Event Details

• Event: Historic Festival 43 & Sunday in the Park
• Dates: August 29 – September 1, 2025
• Venue: Lime Rock Park
• Address: 60 White Hollow Rd, Lakeville, CT 06039
• Tickets: General admission, car corrals, and VIP hospitality options available through Lime Rock Park

Ticket Pricing Overview

• Weekend Pass (Friday–Monday):
  • $190.00 — includes general admission for all four days. (Buy Tickets)
• Single-Day Tickets:
  • Friday (August 29): $35.00 (Buy Tickets)
  • Sunday (August 31) — “Sunday in the Park”: $40.00 (Buy Tickets)
• General Ticket Range:
  Other sources list a broad price range of $32–$171, which likely reflects different ticket types (e.g., single-day, VIP, concours entry, hospitality packages)

Key Admission Notes

• Veterans and active military receive free general admission with proof of service.
• Children aged 12 and under also enjoy free admission when accompanied by a paying adult.
• General outfield parking, golf cart shuttles, and paddock access are complimentary.
• Advance ticket purchases are encouraged since they’re priced lower than gate prices and are available until one week before the event.

Where To Park

• Parking at Lime Rock Park is easy and included FREE with admission.
• General outfield parking is free, and complimentary golf cart shuttles run throughout the weekend to help guests move around the grounds.
• Premium infield or reserved parking may be available for certain ticket holders, while car corral packages provide preferred spots for enthusiasts wishing to park their collector cars inside the track.