It is kind of ironic that The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, which many consider to be the classiest event of Monterey Car Week, is followed by the infamous Concours d’Lemons, an event designed to “celebrate the un-best.” For those of you who have not heard of or ever attended the Concours d’Lemons, I think the best way to describe it is as the automotive version of the Island of Misfit Toys. If you have a car no one cares about, is largely forgotten, or was considered bad when new, this is the place to show it. The idea for this amazing and fun event came from the twisted brain of my friend Alan Galbraith, who carries the title of Head Gasket (he is the one in the blue jacket covered with silly string in the photo below). In creating Lemons, he not just lowered the bar for everything else during Monterey Car Week, but he also made an event that is just about fun — something much needed.

Unlike Pebble Beach, which celebrates Best of Show with confetti cannons, the Concours d’Lemons celebrates their Worst of Show with a barrage of Silly String. This is one of the most entertaining car events on the planet and one of the don’t-miss events during Monterey Car Week.

The classes all have very descriptive names, such as Rust Belt American Junk, Needlessly Complex Italian, Soul-Sucking Japanese Appliance, Unmitigated Gaul, and Der Self-Satisfiedkrauttenwagen. Take a second and you will understand which cars fit into these categories. I guarantee that you won’t see a Bugatti.

Another enjoyable part of the event is that the judges are a veritable who’s who of the concours judging and automotive spaces. You will recognize them as judges because all of them will be wearing sashes. Unlike other concours, where bribes are forbidden, at Lemons, they are encouraged.

The Concours d’Lemons is all about fun, and entry is free for spectators. As of today, there are still a few places available for entrants; you can sign up here. The festivities happen on Saturday, August 15, starting at 8 a.m. and concluding by 1:30 p.m. This truly is an event not to be missed.