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	Franklin County, Kansas, USA

2009-11-07

2009-11-04

2009-11-05

Agriculture

Lifestyles

Thursday, April 09, 2009 12:08 PM

Corvette show opens hood Saturday

By BRIAN WILLIAMS, Herald Staff Writer

Dandelions won’t be the only thing popping up in Ottawa Saturday.

An Ottawa man has organized an All-Corvette Car Show that will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Forest Park, 518 W. Forest St., Ottawa.

“I decided to organize a Corvette show in Ottawa mainly because although there are many Corvette shows in the region every year, [but] they’re basically all up in and around the Kansas City area,” John Geiss, Ottawa, said.

“Any car shows locally are for all makes and models, but I wanted something Vette-specific — first, because I’m in a Corvette club and love them, and second, because for the most part, no matter what brand or type of car people prefer to drive themselves, there are very few people that don’t like Corvettes or don’t like looking at them,” Geiss, who bought his 1995 Corvette in October 2007, said.

One of the organizers of the annual autumn Ol’ Marais River Run car show said he believes Ottawa is big enough for another car show.

“Any event in town that brings people to town and provides something for the community to do is valuable,” Jack Barnhart, Over the Road Gang, Inc. vice president, said in an e-mail.

Geiss, who has sent invitations to nine Corvette groups in the region, hopes the all-American appeal of the Corvette will resonate with people.

“There’s always the Mustang, Camaro and import crowds, but Corvettes are just a breed of their own. It’s more than just a specific car or brand name, it’s become an American icon,” he said.

He’s not alone in his admiration for Corvettes.

“I always thought of the Corvette as the American sports car,” Barnhart, who used to own a 1972 Corvette, said.

“Over the years they have been a symbol of the power and style of American autos,” he added.

The people with the keys are just as important, Geiss, a member of the Kansas City Corvette Association, says.

“Corvette people to me also help to make the car. Vette owners are just your average run-of-the-mill people — your neighbor, friend, even just someone you meet on the street and start a conversation with.”

“Most owners, both men and women alike, not only know a ton about their car, but are usually more than willing to spend half the day telling you about it — as long as you’re willing to stand there and listen.”

Registration for the show will begin at 8 a.m. and is open to anyone with a Corvette. Cost is $5 and proceeds and donations will go to Camp Quality, a summer camp that provides year-round support for children with cancer and their families.

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Corvette show opens hood Saturday

By BRIAN WILLIAMS, Herald Staff Writer

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article | Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article |
Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.