It was picture perfect weather on Friday September 21, 2007 when 17 Club Corvettes met up at the Hinsdale Oasis on I294 and headed down to Effingham, Illinois for the annual Corvette Funfest at Mid America Motorworks. The Illinois State Troopers were out in force heading northbound but it was smooth sailing for us southbounders all the way down. With a brief stop in Rantoul, Illinois for lunch and fuel for those who needed it we were back on the road and cruised in to the Mid America Campus around 3:00 p.m. Our special club parking area was reserved for us and we had our club tent set up in no time. It was pretty hot and windy that day but no one minded. Once we got situated, it was clear to everyone that things were a bit different this year.
Our host had shaken things up a bit this year. The entire show had been re-configured and the entire layout changed into what resembled more like a state fair. Everything had been moved onto the north side of the main building. Even the "My Garage" Museum now famous among Corvette enthusiasts. Some of the best cars were placed under a big tent which was pretty neat as you could now see both sides of many of the cars. The concert venue too had been moved and a giant berm was built around the perimeter to create an outdoor theatre type feel.
After we all surved the new set up, it was off to the hotels for check-in. That night we all regrouped for an awesome dinner at a new restaurant. The Firefly Grill had reserved a special room for 40 members and guests and we enjoyed their excellent food and service. The dining area overlooked a quaint pond complete with fish. They enjoyed the scraps of bread fed to them by Eric Kirchner too. After dessert, some retired to the restaurant deck and pulled up a chair to the cozy firepit with a beverage. Saturday the sun was shining again and the show was in full swing. 16 more cars had joind the group in the club parking area for a total of 33 Corvettes. The highlight for the NSCC was the all new game show presented on the small stage. We were invited along with three other Corvette clubs to play the game "Club Feud" (a version of the tv show Family Feud) In single round elimination competition, the NSCC dominated and won the championship. In the speed round we were giving an opportunity to win up front parking at next years event. Tom Arvidson and Forrest Kulwin played masterfully and next year, we will be in the front row. In addition, the final speed round gave us reserved seating for the special concert Saturday night featuring Three Dog Night. We won that too! Everyone enjoyed the concert from reserved seating. Mid America even provided the chairs. The next day was Sunday and another perfect day. Some folks headed for home early and others made one last pass at the show looking at cars or trying to get that one more item they forgot to buy. All in all it was a great weekend and thanks to all of the participants. I hope you had a good time. We sure did.
