FUNFEST 2009
EFFINGHAM, ILLINOIS

Your website editor works night and day to keep you up to date on Corvette goings-on.  Here's my take on Corvette Funfest 2009, at Mid America's campus, Effingham, Illinois, September 25-27.

Saturday, September 26th started out kind of foggy, as you can see.  But the fog  burned off after a while and Funfest 2009 was under way.

They were already working on the stage at 8:30 AM.  This is a new permanent stage showcased for the first time this year.  And later on that day the stage was initiated big time.

A great crew greeted us as we arrived; (L to R) Janice Kinder,
Karen Flach, and Chris Meier.

Then I ran into some more celebrities.  (L to R) is Jerry Heasley,
automotive photojournalist, Dennis Manire, 63-67 Registry, Mark Kaufman, Corvette Enthusiast Publisher, and Andy Bolig, Corvette Enthusiast Editor.

Within minutes I spied Mike Yager, CEO and Chief Cheerleader of Mid America Motorworks.  Mike celebrates his 60th birthday later this year.  I should have asked for a golf cart ride.  I'm pretty sure it is solid axle, too.

At the opening ceremonies at 9AM Mike was honored by NCCC dignitaries.

After kidding Deb Lindsey about having lots of hairstyles, Mike
showed his new "do".  It seems he lost a bet, his wife Laurie gave him a haircut, and then he had to get the barber to shape it up a little.

Pictured here is Jackie, a high school sophomore, who did a very nice job singing the National Anthem.

It was Lori Worman who put Funfest together.  She did
a great, great job.

This '60 was given prominent display.  It is owned by Brenda and Steve Ashley.  Steve told me that it was a finalist this year
at Hot August Nights in Reno.

Mike Walker of Mike Walker Corvettes did the customizing.

This Fawn Beige '60 was in the same display area.  Primo describes it.  The orange canopy gives it a funny hue.

It wasn't a vacation for everyone.  Here is a technician from Vette Hard Top Shop rejuvenating a top for someone.

This red/white '58 had already won a celebrity choice award and it was early in the morning.

I kind of felt sorry for this blue-oval fan whose foot you can see under the rear wheel.

SACC President Max Brockhouse and myself did a walking tour, and we ran across this white/silver '61.  The owners were not present.

And we ran across this nice Roman Red '62 for sale.  They were asking 80K.

This Fawn Beige '61 was in the For Sale area.  Asking price
was 41K.  It was a nice driver.

And all the way from Canada was C.J. and Anita Kumar.  This is a highly stylized '59.  The frame is C4.  Because he has never been to an American car show, he was worried that this car might not be up to snuff.  I told him to put his apprehensions aside.

Later on stage was the Jan and Dean show, featuring Dean Torrence.  Here you see Dean with the OC Band.  They did just about every car song you can remember, plus surfing songs.

And Dean got a little help from Mike and Laurie.

After the fireworks, and what a fireworks display it was,
there was lots more.  Survivor took the stage and did
a high energy concert that was fantastic.

To Lori Worman, you did a great job planning and carrying out the 2009 Mid America Motorworks Funfest!  Mike, thanks for putting on such a great party!  Every year I wonder if this year's Funfest can be topped next year, and sure enough, they make the next Funfest even better.  If you have never been to Funfest, think about putting the weekend of Sept 18 on your calendar for next year.

So that's what I saw.  Also going on were seminars, vendor displays, crafts workshops for the ladies, a car auction, the Art Reception, too many things to mention.  And I've said it before, if you missed it, you missed it.

-Doc Hollada