Dickinson County News: Features: Corvette enthusiasts unite for car show, weekend events (08/05/09)

Corvette owners with the University of Okoboji's Corvette Club have a full weekend of activities for owners and enthusiasts of the legendary performance car.

The annual 'Vettes in the Park weekend is scheduled for Aug. 7-9 in both Spencer and Arnolds Park.

This three-day weekend event gives Corvette owners and fans a chance to view a large variety of Corvettes from all over the Midwest.

"I enjoy seeing lots of participants from around the Midwest that come back regularly to Okoboji and also the local crowd that comes out to support our activities," said Tom Riehm on behalf of the U of O Corvette Club.

Festivities will kick off on Friday with pre-registration available at Okoboji Motor Company from 3 - 6 p.m. Snacks, materials and a mechanic will be available. Also on Friday at 6 p.m., there will be the Corvette cruise. Owners will parade their cars for all the public to see. Following the cruise, weekend participants will gather at the Barefoot Bar, Minerva's and Mineral City at 7 p.m.

Beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday morning, registration for the Autocross event will take place at the Spencer Municipal Airport. The Autocross will run from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. At 5 p.m. that night, a picnic will be held at the Expo Building in Spirit Lake.

On Sunday the events will come to Arnolds Park. An omelet brunch is scheduled from 7-11 a.m. at the Pavilion.

"One thing that I would like to really promote is the brunch on Sunday morning at the Pavilion," said Riehm. "This is a way for the general public to support the club if they do not register with a car. This is our one fund raising event for the year."

Sunday's registration starts at 8 a.m. The car show will run from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. with the awards ceremony at 2:45 p.m. The car show is free for spectators.

Continuing a special new feature that started last year, the Corvette Club is featuring Corvettes from 1968-1973 indoors at the Arnolds Park Pavilion next to the Iowa RockNRoll Museum. In 2008, the Corvettes from 1963-1967 were spotlighted.

About the Corvette Club

The University of Okoboji Corvette Club was organized in 1990 for Corvette enthusiasts in the Iowa Great Lakes. Currently there are 90 members from all over the Midwest. On the first Monday of every month the club meets for regular business meetings and programs.

For more information on the University of Okoboji Corvette Club and 'Vettes in the Park, visit www.uofocorvetteclub.com.

'Vettes in the Park schedule

Aug. 7, 8, and 9, 2009

Friday, Aug. 7

3-6 p.m.	Registration and kick-off rally at Okoboji Motor Company, Spirit Lake
6 p.m.	Area cruises

Saturday, Aug. 8

10 a.m. - 1 p.m.	Autocross racing at Spencer Municipal Airport
5 p.m.	Picnic for all registered at the Expo building in Spirit Lake

Sunday, Aug. 9

8 to 11 a.m.	Omelet Brunch for $6 at the Pavilion, Arnolds Park Amusement Park
8 a.m.	Registration for car show at Arnolds Park
10 a.m. - Noon	Registrants get free Go-Kart racing and discounts for miniature golf
10:30 a.m.	Scott Smith, national NCS judge, presents seminar on preparing a car for competition in the Pavilion.
11 a.m.	Amusement Park opens
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.	Car show at Preservation Plaza - Corvettes only
Indoor show for years 1968 through 1973 in the Pavilion
Car Corral (Corvettes for Sale)
Noon - 3 p.m.	Queen Boat rides, registrants get discounted coupons
2:45 p.m.	Awards in the Pavilion