It sounds like the Annual C3VR Gathering is a bust for 2024, which is too bad. But there is a significant event this summer which I believe many of us plan to attend. Every five years, the National Corvette Museum (NCM) holds an Anniversary Celebration to mark the opening of the museum back in 1994, making 2024 the 30th Anniversary. As part of the celebration, they encourage Corvette owners from across the country (really, the world) to drive in caravans together to Bowling Green, KY

I plan on attending and I’m wondering how many other C3VR members will join in the fun  if you’re interested in getting together as a group for an excursion or a meal, please reply to this thread

if you need more information about the caravan, please click the link below.  Are we there yet?

https://www.corvettemuseum.org/caravan/

I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!

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Marshall,

 I am extremely disappointed that there’s not enough people interested in having a Gathering in the west. 
Of course I will definitely be at the NCM for the Caravan Anniversary celebration. 
Please include me in any special events, meals or tours. 

 

Save the Wave!
Support the National Corvette Museum   

We will be there!

As a Corvette(s) owner that has never attended a NCM Caravan I have a few questions that would help me make a decision on attending or not. May be silly questions for the veterans of the caravans.

First and foremost is the question of are these "madhouse" functions? Too much going on to make it enjoyable?

Are accomodations hard to find. reasonable rates?

What is done other than just driving there?

Is the cost prohibitive? Us retired fixed income folks always ask this.😄

I'm sure I'll have more questions should we decide to attend. Also considering an "alternate gathering" as we have done in the past.

   

DanT

Dan, I used to worry about what an event with thousands of Corvettes jammed into a small area would be like, but I took the plunge in 2019 and was pleasantly surprised. Yes, parking will be spread out, but with all the Corvettes and Corvette people it’s (almost)all good. 

What to do?  Walk, eat, talk, eat, take pictures, get ice cream, visit the museum and then finally get something to eat. Same as other events. There are vendors (not like Carlisle) too. Plenty of stuff to see locally. It’s close to Nashville, there are caves, distilleries, a casino about 25 miles to the south

Costs…. In 2019, things seemed reasonable. This year, well you know how prices have been going. When I checked a year out, many hotels were showing 4 figure nightly rates with minimum nights stipulations. But I think there are still some deals (check VRBO or get 30+ miles out). The museum wants to charge at least $60 per person (and more for special parking) and while you can attend without registering, it makes it harder for the caravan captains and I think the caravan is one of the best parts

I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!

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target=_blank>Click for another pic!���� And yet another!

I am/was very interested in attending the caravan. I reached out to the Atlantic Captain (Jeffery Duda) and he sent me a bunch of info. For Dan's info it looks like it will cost $300 for a single and $500 for a couple to join his official Atlantic Caravan. I believe that includes 3 dinners and guaranteed hotel reservations (incuding one at Carlisle) plus many other extras- but does not include the price of the rooms which is extra.  Im curious if any of you are registering with Jeffrey.

Mario

Heres part of the registration form

Mario

we are planning on attending

Lifetime Member #58
Our 82CE

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There are very few rooms available in BG and they are $400+/night. The closest Hilton property with rooms is over 27 miles away.

We participated in the 2014 caravan and attended the activities at NCM. If you find a room, enjoy the trip.

Mark 


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States I've visited:

I went to the Corvette 50th Anniversary celebration at the NCM in 2003.  I think that was the 1st National Corvette Caravan, but I could be wrong.  At the time I was a little concerned about taking "The Toy" on such a long trek as I'd only owned it for a few years.  But Chevrolet opened up its roadside assistance program to anyone registered in the caravan so that took away some of the worry.  The last stop on the way down was at the Brickyard in Indy.  Several state caravans had come together and there were over 850 Corvettes in the infield.  Quite a sight...!!!  After a state by state lap around the track it was an all-out sprint to BG...!!!  I didn't want to push "The Toy" that hard so think I was one of the last cars to pull into the NCM that evening.  Stingray Jim was patiently waiting for me in the parking lot.  What a guy!

Patty and I joined the 2009 NCC for the 15th anniversary of the NCM.  A bunch of C3VRers stayed at a motel in Cave City to get out of the madhouse of BG.  It was about 25 miles out and all freeway to the NCM.  It was a GREAT time!

Jim Olson 

"The Toys"...!!!  Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

I've heard from past attendees that it is a lot of hurry up and wait.  No thanks.

We too experienced the 14' ride. WAY to many cars. Elbow to elbow in many ways. Lines didn't move as expected, food ran out, decals removed. An experience to remember. Once is enough. 

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I can’t say I’ve heard of issues with long lines and backups for the caravan (although I can certainly envision it - I know I hear it all the time regarding the Hot Rod Power Tour). As I noted, my experience is limited - one Anniversary celebration with one Caravan group (and that group includes only two states - MI and IN). I’m even working a plan to take older cars off the Interstate and onto the Dixie Highway (US 31) so we can take a more leisurely pace

Again, my one time on the Caravan was very positive, but I know things happen and I obviously can’t guarantee how this one will go. But I’m not trying to encourage or discourage anyone from attending. I’m only saying that if you do, we should try to get together 😁

I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!

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target=_blank>Click for another pic!���� And yet another!

My wife June and I are going to attend the event this year.  We will have been  been NCM members for 25 years by then, but we haven't been to the NCM (or that part of the US) since 2003 I think.  We did two Caravan events, travelling with friends from So Cal, back in '99 and for the 50th celebration.   The museum was busy, but we did and saw all we wanted to, and got plant tours etc.  For this trip we are planning on a plant tour and I'd like to see/try out the Motorsports Park.   

The NCM has changed out of all recognition since our last visit, so it'll be exciting, and of course the numbers of visitors may have doubled!  So we'll see.......   

Hopefully we can meet a few C3VR members during the weekend👍

Alas, our '78 will not be making the journey - I think we will be in a rented M*stang!😱

The plant is closed to tours as of now.  Don't know when it might open back up.

Yes, thank, I saw that.  I've actually spoken to the girl who is dealing with that aspect, but they cannot put anything in place until a few weeks before the event apparently, as they have to wait on the BG Assembly Plant to give them the "green light".   

We have the slight advantage of being in the area for a few days after the event weekend, so if it's really jammed, we can probably do the tour later!