When the inaugural Piazza Motor Nights rolled into the Courtyard by Marriott on Monday, Aug. 10 in Sand City, it was a type of event not normally associated with the tiny city known for its mural-adorned industrial buildings, West End Celebration and Costco.
But with the new hotel offering a sizable courtyard, stage and full bar, it opens the doors to future fancy affairs that bring more people into the artistic city.
The spacious lobby with roll-up doors was designed with Monterey County events in mind, especially for Car Week. With entranceways wide enough to drive a vehicle through, the design was taken full advantage of during Piazza Motor Nights, with a Ferrari and a Formula Super Vee race car parked inside the lobby, and more exotic cars wrapped around the stage outdoors.
The event was produced by Will Elkadi, founder of the Monterey Car Week Guide and known as Mr. Car Week.
Thanking those who helped make the event possible, Elkadi told a crowd of about 200 or so people that planning for the event started about two months ago when he visited the Courtyard.
“I was sitting in the firepit in the corner here, and I just felt good about the area, the property, the atmosphere,” he said. “Sand City has always been known as the corridor to Costco. But it’s definitely more than that.”
Sand City Mayor Mary Ann Carbone said it took years for the hotel to come to fruition and transform what was a “blighted area.”
“We want to become a more vibrant community and invite all to come to these events,” she said. “It’s a great partnership we have here with Marriott.”
Other dignitaries attending Piazza Motor Nights included Seaside Mayor Ian Oglesby and Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto (who joked to the crowd that she had a “lead foot” and asked members of the Ferrari Owners Club if she could borrow one of their cars). Also in attendance was Revuelto the exotic car-loving Savannah cat with his own Instagram account, who was happy to greet anyone who walked over to ask his owner what kind of feline he is.
The night included various performances, such as fire dancers and a mermaid in the pool, as curious hotel guests took a peek out of their rooms to check out the action.