For the first time in nearly four decades, the co-founder of the Brandywine Conservancy will not lead the procession of elegant horse-drawn, antique carriages that will traverse Winterthur’s 38th Annual Pont-to-Point grounds on Sunday, May 8.
But the indomitable spirit of George A. “Frolic” Weymouth, who died on Sunday, April 24, will dominate the event, Winterthur officials said.
“As we prepare for what will be a wonderful event on May 8, a change has taken place. Frolic Weymouth will not be in the front of the carriage parade. On Sunday morning, many of us lost a good personal friend and others lost a great friend of the community,” Geoff Rogers, chairman of the Point-to-Point Executive Committee and a Winterthur trustee, said in a Winterthur press release. “Frolic Weymouth brought the coaches to Point-to-Point and is also responsible for conserving the land around it.”
Weymouth was a founder and chairman of the board of trustees of the Brandywine Conservancy and one of only two Americans to be a member of The Coaching Club (England). He was president of the Four-in-Hand Club, founder of the Vicmead Coaching Club, and past chairman of the board of the Brandywine Polo Club.
“Frolic was a mainstay and the core of this event. For 38 years, guests have looked forward to seeing Frolic and his parade of antique carriages. He will be missed tremendously,” Jill Abbott, Point-to-Point Race director, said in the release. “While we cannot imagine not seeing him atop the lead 1904 Brewster & Co. Park Drag, we are planning to honor him with a special video tribute on Race Day. We will celebrate him on May 8 with so many of his family and friends.”
The parade will include 30 carriages. Although Weymouth won’t be atop his Brewster, his coach will lead the parade in his honor, driven by his whip, Robert Longstaff, along with his wife, Stephanie Morehard Longstaff.
Point-to-Point draws over 16,000 people to the 1000-acre former country estate of Henry Francis du Pont. Widely considered the Brandywine Valley’s most stylish spring sporting event, Point-to-Point features a day of professional thoroughbred steeplechase racing, exciting entertainment, elegant tailgating, and food and beverage offerings in addition to the magnificent horse-drawn carriages. In 2013, Top Events USA, which identifies the most popular events around the country, named Point-to-Point one of the best events in the nation.
To co-celebrate Mother’s Day this year, Point-to-Point will offer the Mother’s Day Family Brunch Tent. In addition, antique Rolls Royces and Bentleys will be on view along with a host of activities to engage and entertain kids all day in the Winterthur Hunt.
To purchase tailgate parking spots, tailgate wristbands, and tailgate tents, call 302-888-4994 (credit card only). To purchase general admission wristbands, call 800-448-3883 or 302-888-4994. The cost is $30 for adult general admission through April 29, $50 from April 30 to May 7; $15 for young adults ages 12 to 20; and free for children under 12. Winterthur member discounts are available.
Point-to-Point benefits the continued maintenance and preservation of the Winterthur Garden and estate, located on Route 52 in Wilmington. For more information on Point-to-Point, visit Winterthur.org/ptp or contact us at PTP@winterthur.org.
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