New Corvette event will be coming to Watkins Glen WATKINS GLEN--The Village of Watkins Glen is in full-on planning mode for the inaugural Corvette Festival. Scheduled for May 20 and 21, the Festival recognizes Watkins Glen's connection to the birth of the Corvette and celebrates the iconic sportscar's 70th birthday.
Harley Earl is considered the "father of the Corvette." Earl watched Jaguars and MGs racing on the streets of Watkins Glen and vowed that America should have its own sports car. According to experts at the Corvette Museum, Earl convinced GM to develop its own, inexpensive two-seater. Once developed, Earl took the prototype to Chevrolet, who jumped at the chance, and the Corvette was born. It debuted in 1953 at the races in Watkins Glen.
Event organizers expect between 150 and 200 Corvettes to participate in the event, which starts with a car show at Clute Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. At 6 p.m., Earl's grandson, Richard, will be the keynote speaker at the Legacy of Harley J Earl event, which will highlight the original inspiration, development, and anniversary of the initial Corvette.
On Sunday, the Corvettes will also complete a ceremonial lap of the historic Glen circuit concluding with a lap at Watkins Glen International. Schuyler County resident Tony Vickio, under the supervision of the Schuyler County Sheriff's Office, will lead Corvettes from Clute Park, to the original Start/Finish line. Organizers expect that participating Corvettes will line Fourth and Franklin Streets before the ceremonial laps begin at 10:30 a.m.
Corvette owners are invited to participate by registering online. For more information, visit the Watkins Glen Corvette Festival Facebook page (www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090224252160). |