Several weeks ago, the time had come again after a break of one year made necessary by COVID-19. In association with the Salzburg children’s cancer charity, Kinderkrebshilfe Salzburg, and many other sponsors we welcomed around 350 visitors to the 17th sports car outing.
Although the organization posed more challenges than usual we were determined to give the kids an enjoyable day full of fun.
Action-loaded Sports Car Outing
The big children’s party on the PALFINGER AG premises in Bergheim kicked off at 9 a.m. with a host of attractions. The “driving test” at the Porsche Driving School proved a particularly big hit with the youngsters. But the other attractions drew the crowds too:
- Pedro the clown with his balloon animals and bubble-blowing
- Powered model trucks
- Photo booth
- Kids’ make-up corner
- Climbing frame
- PALFINGER access platform, loader crane and truck-mounted forklift
- Pirate-themed bouncy castle
- Police dog handlers with dogs
- Volleyball
- Mister Stefano the magician and his circus for joining in
- 3D printers & virtual reality applications
Refreshments were provided by the PALFINGER healthy kitchen team. It was important to us to make sure that our guests had fun, but also that they were completely safe. That’s why we included a comprehensive hygiene concept with mandatory COVID-19 testing for everyone who came. This hygiene concept proved highly effective, and was judged to be extremely positive by the families.
Check for Kinderkrebshilfe
Another highlight was the presentation of a check for EUR 25,000 by Hubert Palfinger and CFO Felix Strohbichler to Heide Janik, director of Kinderkrebshilfe Salzburg. With this donation, new projects can be launched that will give many families much-needed support.
As in previous years, there was also a painting competition. The children could enter their artworks and win a prize: an experiment set for exploring wind power.
Right on time, at 1:30 p.m., the highlight that all the children were looking forward to, the sports car outing, began. During the morning each child had been able to choose which of the 80 sports cars he or she would like to have a ride in. There were so many different makes and types to choose from that it was not at all easy to decide! This year’s route lasted around 90 minutes and went through the Salzburg Lake District, passing the Obertrumer See, then the town of Neumarkt am Wallersee before running alongside the Wiestal reservoir to the final destination, Salzburg Zoo at Hellbrunn.
Final stop: Salzburg Zoo
The 17th sports car outing was led by PALFINGER COO Martin Zehnder, who was followed by 80 other sports cars. The almost 78-km route ended at Salzburg Zoo in Hellbrunn where more surprises awaited the children. At the zoo they not only had the chance to look at the various animals and visit Athos, the rhinoceros adopted by PALFINGER, but were also able to learn more about the animals at various stations around the zoo. At one of these stations, those brave enough could let different insects crawl over their hands. Refreshments were available at the zoo’s restaurant so that everyone had the energy they needed to go exploring.
We managed to give the children and their families an enjoyable day full of fun, something especially important in these difficult times.
We are delighted that we succeeded in awakening the kids’ enthusiasm. The success of the event is shown by the number of families who registered for it: 90 children and 80 sports car drivers.
Many thanks once again to all the sponsors, volunteer helpers and drivers who made this sports car outing possible. Our heartfelt thanks also go to all our guests, both big and small, who made the day so enjoyable and provided us with so much fun.
