The fourth annual Capital City Corvette Classic returns today, and organizers are hoping it will be the event's "breakthrough year."
The event began four years ago through the efforts of former Mayor Eric Struemph, a Corvette owner himself. Chris Wilson, with the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the event has grown with each year and this year has been the most active he's seen so far using metrics including website visits and social media outreach. Wilson said corvette owners are coming from all over the state and from Nebraska and Kansas.
"It's starting to reach out and get out to a farther-away Corvette ownership group, which is exciting," Wilson said. "That was really a big goal of ours. We think that this could really be a breakthrough year for us."
As it continues to grow, Wilson said organizers will look at overflow locations for displaying the Corvettes in future years.
The event is planned through the coordinated efforts of the CVB and the Heart of Missouri Corvette Club, Wilson said.
Though the event began Friday, the main Corvette show is from noon-4 p.m. today in front of the Capitol and is free for spectators.
Wilson said there are seven different classes and between 75-100 corvettes are expected to take part. Plus, he said, for once the weather seems like it will cooperate today and keep it sunny for the main show.
The awards ceremony will begin at 3 p.m., with awards for each class, plus a Best of Show trophy and a Mayor's Cup trophy.
The Cruise-in on Capitol also will be held today at 5 p.m. downtown.