The Loren J. Feldner Cobalt Classic is now known as the Mid-Summer Cobalt Classic.
This annual event is geared for enthusiasts of Cobalt's produced 1991 and prior, but is an event for all Cobalt's to commemorate Loren's memory and celebrates the most beautiful boats on the water, while raising money for charity.
2024 Mid-Summer Cobalt Classic
In 2024 we embarked on a new journey. What has been known for five years as The Loren J. Feldner Cobalt Classic, became the Mid-Summer Cobalt Classic.
The change of the name, didn't change anything else about our gathering. The location returned to Watson's On The Water, a familiar landing spot for classic Cobalt Boats, and as always, enjoyed incredible hosting from Brad and Michelle Watson.
This year, the event shifted its fundraising focus. We "Rallied for Rhemy" - Rhemy Martin who was recently diagnosed with leukemia. Rhemy's family has longstanding, strong ties to Cobalt Boats, and we couldn't pass up the opportunity to support the Martin family.
The annual auction raised $3000 which was donated to Rally for Rhemy.
We also donated $500 Dental Lifeline Network. To date, this event has generated $11,927 in donations to the Dental Lifeline Network in Loren's memory.
Here's a look back at the 2024 Mid-Summer Cobalt Classic.
Dental Lifeline NEtwork's Heroes Challenge
Click Here to read the DLN's article on the LJFCC!
Over the years, The Loren J. Feldner Cobalt Classic has generated $10,227 donated to the The Dental Lifeline Network.
The Loren J. Feldner Cobalt Classic - The Largest Classic Cobalt Gathering in the World
Founded in memory of late friend and Cobalt enthusiast, Loren Feldner; The LJF Cobalt Classic is a cruise and raft-up hosted on Table Rock Lake. Attendees meet up for registration and lunch, followed by a cruise and raft-up.
All proceeds from the event have been donated to the Dental Lifeline Network's Heroes Challenge, a non-profit fundraiser that provides dental and oral care for the veteran community.
Since 2019, the LJFCC has raised $10,227 donated to The Dental Lifeline Network's Hero Challenge.
Learn more about the Heroes Challenge here. https://dentallifeline.org/lifeline-heroes/
What's a classic? Let's be clear, we understand that in "technical terms" classic typically identifies anything older than 25 years old.
In respects to vintage/classic Cobalt's, we're referring to the boats 1991 and older. Boats where teak was a prominent design feature, or simply the designs from the 70's and 80's. That said, we don't discriminate! ALL Cobalt's are welcome!
A look at the LJFCC over the years below... More photos can be found on our social media pages.
About Loren Feldner
Loren Feldner, a Chicago area dentist had a love for Cobalt Boats ever since 1976, when his dad Joeseph Feldner surprised the family with a 1976 Cobalt 19CD for Christmas. Over the years, Loren's boating experiences grew into bigger boats and eventually a Cobalt 343, and lastly a Cobalt A40.
Loren practiced dentistry in Orland Park at Brasky, Feldner & Assoc. for 33 years. As a dedicated teacher and lifelong learner, he was a clinical professor at Loyola School of Dentistry and earned his MBA from Northwestern Kellogg School of Management. Loren was actively involved in and an advocate for his profession. He was a member of the International College of Dentists and the American College of Dentists. He served as Chair of the Council on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and Chair of the American Dental Political Action Committee (ADPAC) as part of the American Dental Association (ADA). Loren also acted as a Director of the Chicago Dental Society (CDS) and held numerous offices in the Illinois State Dental Society (ISDS). He worked tirelessly to provide dental services to underprivileged communities and veterans in Illinois.