Rendezvous 2021 – A Close Return to Normal

September 14, 2021

After cancellation in June 2020 due to Covid, holding a Mini-Rendezvous in September, and postponement again in June of this year – a “normal” Citroën Rendezvous finally took place again at Saratoga Springs, NY from September 9 — 12, 2021.

Lakeside Farms was once again the main day (Saturday) event location with the show field and dinner. There was a new home base hotel — The Holiday Inn, centrally located on Broadway in Saratoga Springs just steps from Congress Park and all the downtown attractions. The old location — the Springs Motel changed hands a few years ago and unfortunately went downhill since that time, so the “chauffeurs” (David Cossitt-Levy, Tim Kinnel and Christopher Westfall) wisely selected the Holiday Inn as the new meeting place.

We would normally have filed a report firsthand but due to the US border Covid closure to Canadians driving to the USA, George Dyke from Citroenvie and all the other Canadians who typically drive their Citroëns there were not able to attend. We at Citroënvie missed Rendezvous physically but were able to support the event as we normally do by remaining a sponsor.

Fortunately, Steven & Lynn Rossi from East Haddam, CT attended and provided the following info:

Just a quick note to thank our own DCL & Co. for an absolutely GREAT Rendezvous! Here’s a quick report from my point of view:

The switch to the Holiday Inn was a home run. More up-to-date accommodations, a bigger quantity of available rooms to allow more to stay on-site, plenty of parking, outdoor seating and picnic tables, nice indoor Lounge areas, an Exercise Center, a Pool, an actual in-house Bar, etc., etc. made for a much more pleasurable experience. Particularly, if the weather were to turn sour.
The Friday night Pizza Party turned into a real Welcome Reception. In addition to pizza, there were wraps, salads, etc. In a Ballroom with actual tables and chairs which allowed everyone to sit, relax and mingle. Or, you could go back outside and take advantage of the parking lot picnic tables, etc.
Despite the concern of no Canadian participation due to COVID restrictions, there were still 85-90 cars on hand. The quality of which seems to go up, up and up.
And there was also great support from the Peugeot, Renault and Maserati contingent.
I ended up romping around behind the wheel of one-of-two-known Citroën C6s in the U.S. Along the twisty, Ballston Lake two-lanes. That’s gonna spell trouble down the road…and in itself, worth the entire trip.
Again, despite no Canadians, the Flea Market was still strong. In particular, Brad Nauss was selling a stash of newly-found, NOS Citroën dealer signs. It only took me 5 years to find the one that I have, but there they were…just leaning against the side of his truck.
The Silent Auction, which Bill Blaufuss managed, was loaded with stuff.
And the Team did a great job orchestrating the weather, too.

We left late Saturday afternoon, so maybe someone else can fill in the rest of the details. But either way, DCL & Co. deserve congratulations…and thanks to those who came out to support the cause.

We’re all still trying to figure out what the New World Order is going to look like when it comes to Car Shows, but judging by last week’s Lime Rock gathering and now Saratoga, Citroën-wise…we’re in good shape!

Well…except for Blau’s left headlight lens . But that’s another story…
Steven & Lynn Rossi

And we have an extensive photo gallery courtesy of Jeff Brown, Jon Chomitz, John Luttropp and Richard Bonfond:

View the photo Gallery here: