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The National Corvette Homecoming is an annual event held in Bowling Green, Kentucky celebrating America's production sports car, the Chevrolet Corvette. First held in 1981, [1] it was created by two Corvette enthusiasts, Tom Hill and Sam Hall, in response to the assembly of Corvettes moving from St. Louis, MO to the Bowling Green Assembly Plant, which is currently the sole assembler of the car. The event is a summertime event that focuses on vintage as well as modern Corvettes. [1] The homecoming offers Corvette owners and specialty vendors opportunities to network. All Corvette production years and custom variations are welcome.
Bowling Green is a home rule-class city and the county seat of Warren County, Kentucky, United States. As of 2017, its population of 67,067 made it the third most-populous city in the state after Louisville and Lexington; its metropolitan area had an estimated population of 165,732; and the combined statistical area it shares with Glasgow has an estimated population of 218,870.
The Chevrolet Corvette, colloquially known as the Vette or Chevy Corvette, is a front engine, rear drive, two-door, two-passenger sports car manufactured and marketed by Chevrolet across more than sixty years of production and seven design generations — with GM confirming in early 2019 an eighth generation Corvette in a mid-engine configuration. With its generations noted sequentially from C1-C8, the Corvette serves as Chevrolet's halo vehicle and is widely noted for its performance and distinctive plastic — either fiberglass or composite — bodywork.
The Bowling Green Assembly Plant is a General Motors automobile factory in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It is a specialized plant assembling GM's Y-body sports cars, the Chevrolet Corvette and formerly the Cadillac XLR.
The event features competitions in numerous judged shows, along with informative seminars to expand on Corvette knowledge. [1] The event features a unique opportunity to find parts and products that will enhance Corvette ownership. There is a Corvette road tour, car corral, special parties, live music and an exclusive show called Sans Pareil (without equal). And in 2014 a new class was added called The Originals where the cars have to be at least 30 years and 80% original. The Homecoming also welcomes other classic vehicles including muscle cars and antiques. [1]
In 2008, NCH announced its first Grand Marshal, Bloomington Gold CEO David Burroughs. NCH partnered with American Red Cross promoting Vettetastic 2008, a public art project and fundraiser.
The American Red Cross (ARC), also known as The American National Red Cross, is a humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, and disaster preparedness education in the United States. It is the designated US affiliate of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the United States movement to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
In 2009, NCH announced its second Grand Marshal Wil Cooksey, long time plant manager of the Bowling Green Assembly Plant.
In 2010, NCH announced its third Grand Marshal Joe Spielman, top manager with GM and known as "the man who saved the Corvette".
In 2011, NCH announced its fourth Grand Marshal Lance Miller, co-owner of Carlisle Events. This special Homecoming marked the 30th anniversary of the NCH. The "cousin" of the Corvette, the Cadillac XLR was welcomed to the Homecoming. The XLR and XLR-V were assembled at the Bowling Green GM Plant from 2003 to 2009. There was also a special show display of The Iconic 30, which showcased a Corvette of each year 1981 through 2011 selected by NCH staff and GM Plant judges.
The Cadillac XLR is a front-engine, rear-drive, two passenger roadster manufactured and marketed by Cadillac from 2003–2009 across a single generation — and noted for its power retractable hardtop, Bulgari designed interior instruments, heads up display, adaptive suspension marketed as Magnetic Ride Control, rear-mounted transmission and near 50/50 front-to-rear weight distribution. As Cadillac's flagship model, the XLR was introduced the XLR at the 2003 Detroit Motor Show and began production with model year 2004 — foreshadowed by the 1999 Evoq concept.
In 2012, NCH announced that the ICCC (International Council of Corvette Clubs) held its annual convention in conjunction with the National Corvette Homecoming. The Grand Sport Owners Registry announced a special caravan to the event bringing a large group of rare Corvettes to display. A classic car auction and a special outing to a Bowling Green Hot Rods (Class A Affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays) baseball game was held.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods are a Minor League Baseball team of the Midwest League and the Class A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. They are located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and play their home games at Bowling Green Ballpark which opened in 2009. The team is named for the city's connections to the automotive and racing industries such as the National Corvette Museum, Holley Carburetor, Beech Bend Raceway, and the Bowling Green Assembly Plant.
The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) East division. Since its inception, the team's home venue has been Tropicana Field.
In 2013, NCH announced its fifth Grand Marshal Barry Meguiar, host of the Car Crazy TV series and President of Meguiar's Car Care Products.
In 2014, NCH announced its sixth Grand Marshal Kevin Mackay, owner of Corvette Repair INC. and one of the foremost restorers of historic Corvettes.
In 2015, NCH announced its seventh Grand Marshal to be Mike Yager, chief cheerleader of Mid-American Motorworks located in Effingham, Illinois.[ citation needed ]
The NCH is now owned and organized by Joe Pruitt with The National Corvette Museum involved in some of the planning.
