This past weekend, while at the monthly "Corvettes & Coffee Cruise-In" at VIP Corvettes and Accessories in Sorrento, Florida. I got the word about an upcoming Vette-related show weekend that promises to be big--and special--and one not to be missed.

I'll let Brian Consaul (co-chair & host of  this big event) fill you in about Vette Fest '09 and the "American Iron & Muscle Weekend"...all coming up over May's first weekend.

May 1st-3rd in the Greater Tampa area for Vette’s is set to be an exciting one. The Crystal River area is hosting VETTE FEST '09. This year, Vette Fest has teamed up with Harley-Davidson’s Bike Fest to make one Giant event that we have dubbed “American Iron & Muscle Weekend." In the three days, we expect over 30,000 people,hundreds of Vettes and thousands of bikes to attend the event.

This is a 100% charity event, with the proceeds benefiting "Freedom Calls," a non-profit that provides Satellite communications to the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan allowing our brave Troops to stay in contact with their loved ones while deployed.

This great charity has set up for a live feed to be broadcast to Iraq from the Vette Fest '09 finale concert with great musical guests .38 Special, The Outlaws and Big Engine, to name just a few. We will also have a few famous football players signing autographs and a very special guest from the State Capitol helping host the event.

Our generous sponsors, Coca-Cola, Monster Energy, 360 Forged, Mid America Motorworks, National Van Lines, The National Corvette Museum, General Motors, The United States Marine Corps and the United States Army, have allowed up to set up a three-day, nationally publicized event with everything from Burnout Contests to Bike, Car & Vette Shows to Bikini contests hosted by Hawaiian Tropic, to Honor Guard ceremonies by the Army and USMC, that will crest Sunday evening May 3 with a Concert that will be Linked live to the front lines in Iraq. Our Special Guest from the State Capitol will be surprising a family  with a special appearance from their deployed father--Via JumboTron from the front lines in Iraq--in front of 20,000 people…

This exciting event, “American Iron & Muscle Weekend," is the first time that the Corvette & Harley Community has joined together for a great cause like this, as is the involvement of the USMC and Army to bring this great charity to the event, in a fashion that is sure to bring tears to many eyes.

The Staff of Vette Fest '09 and Bike Fest has decided to take the luxury of our great cars and bikes that has been provided by the sacrifice of our braves troops to bring people together for a cause greater than ourselves.

(For the complete Vette Fest '09/American Iron & Muscle Weekend event schedule--including a listing of event venues and nearby lodging--visit www.vettefest09.com on the Web.)