Mid America Motorworks hosted its sixteenth annual Corvette Funfest event the weekend of September 25-27, 2009.  Corvette Funfest, held on Mid America Motorworks’ 150 acre corporate campus, is one of the largest gatherings of Corvette enthusiasts in the country.  During the three-day celebration, thousands of Corvettes along with tens of thousands of enthusiasts enjoyed the activities and seminars.

The theme for this year’s event was the 35th anniversary of Mid America Motorworks.  Mike Yager’s signature straw hat surrounded by historical catalog covers was the basis for the t-shirt, poster and lapel pin designs. 

Corvette Funfest 2009 was full of exciting new activities and events.  The Fun Run was brought back by popular demand and held on Thursday afternoon.  Exhaust Wars and Burn Out Wars thrilled the crowd on each of the three days with awards to the top winners.  The Corvette Cantina found a new home in a permanent facility and showcased many lifestyle items for sale. Mid America Motorworks hosted its first ever Corvette Auction on Friday afternoon with over 50 Corvettes crossing the block before a massive crowd of bidders and spectators.   Scores of Corvettes were offered for sale by their owners in the “For Sale Corral” with many changing ownership and leaving the new owners searching for extra garage space. Close to one hundred different seminar topics presented by Corvette engineers and experts in their field were offered during the weekend.

Corvettes from every model year of the marque could be seen throughout the weekend.  Many were observed parking in “Club Field”, an area reserved specifically for Corvette clubs and members.  This year, 65 Corvette clubs from around the country attended Funfest.  New for 2009 was a Silent Auction hosted by Corvette Clubs.  The proceeds from this activity were equally divided among the participating clubs’ charities of choice.  Special display parking featured Corvettes from 1974, also sharing the same 35th Anniversary as Mid America Motorworks, and the “9’s in 09” displaying each Corvette decade ending with 9.

Enthusiasts were able to buy, sell and modify Corvettes at Funfest.  Dozens of major industry suppliers brought products and answered questions concerning proper installation and use.  At the “Install Alley”, hundreds of customers received new exhaust systems expertly installed by Corsa, Borla, B&B and Mid America Motorworks.  Many other Corvette owners enhanced their Corvettes with accessory items from American Car Craft, Mid America Motorworks’ supplier of the year.  Callaway Corvettes, Goodyear and Pratt & Miller Engineers also set up special displays to educate and entertain Corvette fans.  General Motors impressed enthusiasts with an extensive display of the new 2010 Corvettes and also provided rides in the new 2010 Grand Sport.

Saturday evening ended with a three-hour entertainment package. The Jan and Dean Show featuring Dean Torrence with the OC Band started the activities followed by a 20-minute fireworks display.  The finale of the evening consisted of a 90-minute performance by Survivor.

Corvette Funfest 2010 will be held on September 17-19.