Watkins Glen Corvette Festival: Celebrate 70 Years of Corvette Where It All Began

The Corvette was just a twinkle in the eye of Harley Earl when the legendary GM engineer was inspired by races at Watkins Glen, New York in 1951.

Two years later, the 1953 Corvette would make its first appearance at the Glen, and now Watkins Glen’s Parks, Recreation, and Events Department is celebrating the Corvette’s 70th birthday as well as the legacy of Harley Earl with the first-ever Watkins Glen Corvette Festival to be held rain or shine on Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21.

Chevrolet GM Thomas Keating Rides with Harley Earl in the Corvette

Planned to become an annual event, the festival will kick off on May 20 as Corvette owners will line the five-foot Trailway that surrounds the Seneca Lake Events Center at Clute Park. Drivers should be in position by 9:30 a.m. to prepare for the 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. car exhibit.

After paying a parking fee at Clute Park, visitors will be able to walk through all of the cars on display until 5 p.m. Food trucks and other Corvette-themed vendors will also be on hand.

At 6 p.m., Richard Earl will speak about the history and legacy of his grandfather, Harley Earl. His one-hour presentation will be a seated and videotaped event focusing on the original inspiration, development, and anniversary of the Corvette from 1953, with special emphasis on Harley Earl’s contributions. Visitors will also see historic images during the catered “lite bite” event, and a question-and-answer session is also planned.

On Sunday, May 21, car owners will be encouraged to drive the Historic Glen Circuit led by the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office. Around 2 p.m., Tony Vickio – under the supervision of the sheriff’s car – will lead Corvette participants down Franklin Street to the start/finish line in front of the Schuyler County Office Building, then onto a drive on the Original Glen Circuit from 3 to 5 p.m. Visitors will be able to watch the lap from Franklin and Fourth streets.

Source:
Watkins Glen Corvette Festival

Related:
Celebrate 70 Years of Corvette at the Woodward Dream Show
Bloomington Gold’s 2023 Gold Collection Will Salute Z06 Corvettes
Celebrate 1980s-1990s Car Culture with RADwood Charlotte at Hendrick Motorsports