“There goes a lot of money,” one bystander observed as a procession of Ferraris rumbled up Carling Avenue yesterday morning.
True on a couple of counts, as none of these Italian sports cars could be had for much less than $300,000, and they were giving thrill rides for charity.
As part of the fourth annual Ferrari Festival, the Ottawa chapter of the Ferrari Club of America (FCA) took part yesterday in the Charity Dream Ride, offering passengers 10-minute rides for $50, with the proceeds donated to Villa Marconi, the Ottawa long-term care facility.
In the event’s first three years, the club has raised some $36,000 for charity, said FCA Ottawa president Chris Fox. The weather has also co-operated every year so far, a relief because wet conditions are not the Ferrari’s forte.
The Ferrari Festival was only one of many authentic Italian experiences comprising Ottawa’s 35th annual Italian Week, which wrapped up yesterday. As many as 160,000 attendees were expected to take in the food, music and sporting events.
