The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Monmouth......Steve Albert and his Maple City Street Machines are cruising into their 4th annual Cruise Night which attracted 15,000 spectators at last year's show.
"Even though Miller Lite is our sponsor, it is an alcohol free fun-filled event for the whole family," Albert told The Quill.
"Kenny Brown and I were sitting together at a out-of-town car show, bored to death, when we thought it would be fun for Monmouth to have a Cruise Night the night before the 2nd Fred Gibb Memorial Car Show. Then everyone would caravan down to La Harpe on the second day for the show."
Neither Albert nor Brown fully realized the enthusiasm and attraction they would gain from their initial venture which have both become annual events.
The enthusiasm one has for their cars, the accomplishments of the Fred Gibb era, and many other racing feats and attractions are pulling people to the car shows from all directions like magnets. Emails are coming from around the world and many are traveling from many states to attend the show.
Steve Albert encourages everyone to come participate with their cruise cars at no charge. Each participant will be rewarded with a ticket for a drawing of a new Mac Tool chest of tools, a $1200 value.
There will be live music with Eternity Road, WLSR 92.7 FM radio will be covering the event live from the main stage on the town square. all the businesses are staying open late that night with food vendors and restaurants open for business.
Six blocks are closed all four directions from the school for cars to be displayed and for public walking about.
WHBF Channel 4 TV will be covering the event live and they will be drawing for great prizes to help pay for the $2500 event. Tickets will be sold with giveaways of an $800 diamond, Mac Tools, set of tires and many more prizes. "This is in an attempt to raise funds for the show," Albert said.
Albert, like Kenny Brown of La Harpe, is not getting much rest these days with the constant emails, phone calls, and drop-ins while trying to organize the event.
"It's a lot of fun," he said when it all comes together. The first year there were 500 who came and last year there were 833 cars who registered. We are hoping for over 1,000 this year.
A big drawing card this year is the unveiling of the last of the 2002 ZL1 Super Cars on the Monmouth Square at 7:00 P.M. The event will be repeated at La Harpe at 11:00 A.M. at the 5th Annual Fred Gibb Memorial Car Show.
Matt Murphy from GMMC, Inc., is founder and owner of a private conversion company that works between dealers and General Motors to hype up GM cars. He lives near Atlanta, Georgia. Murphy, decided to commemorate the end of the Chevy Camaro in 2002 by ordering 69 of the 2002 Camaros, the same number that was built in the Fred Gibb era of his 1969 ZL1 Camaros. Gibb and his associates turned the Camaro into a race cars that broke records and won the Nationals in the racing circuit.
Murphy's idea succeeded in saluting the Camaro and the Gibb ZL1 as the final ZL1s have been sold packed with either 425 or 600 H.P. motors at extremely high prices, and what better way than to cap it off than to take it to "Fred Gibb land" where Mrs. Fred Gibb can sign the delivery slips, and the motors, and former racer for Gibb, Herbie Fox, can hand out the keys.
At this writing, the weather is looking great for next weekend for Friday night in Monmouth and Saturday morning in La Harpe.
Albert said the only thing that has changed this year, is they have canceled the caravan to La Harpe because of the difficult drive through Roseville and several who like to sleep in.
Albert, an early riser - 3 a.m. - assures that most everyone from Monmouth will be making the trip to La Harpe.
"We'll all be there," he said.
5th Annual Fred Gibb Memorial Car Show
The Fred Gibb Memorial Car Show in La Harpe is still growing. In its 5th year, the logo has come back to salute Fred Gibb's original car along with the 2002 Zl1 Camaro Supercars. On the sleeve of the T-shirts will be a Memorial to Dennis Hartwig
Mugs and dash plaques are on display at the First State Bank of Western Illinois and Time & Chime in La Harpe where T-shirts can be ordered as well.
According to Kenny Brown, La Harpe's Mayor and a co-organizer along with Jerry Burford, the show will feature specialty cars underneath 10,000 square feet of tent space, with several 69 & 2002 ZL-1's.
Matt Murphy of GMMG, Inc. in Georgia is bringing his 1968 Gibb COPO Nova, a 1969 Camaro drag car, 1967 (original paint) "Funny Car", and his own 2002 ZL-1 Supercar Camaro in green.
He will also be bringing two or three ZL-1, 2002 Supercar Camaros to make deliveries in both Monmouth and at 11 a.m. in La Harpe. The "Worldwide Camaro Association" will be bringing a huge red balloon BOWTIE which usually only goes to some of the larger shows. Pictures can be taken with it, and there will be more food stands with larger variety of food this year. The three additional tents will accommodate more special supercars since several people are bringing two cars--one built in l969 and the other in 2002.
Many cars from a great distance have indicated that they are coming.
This is the 4th and final unveiling of the 2002 ZL1 Supercar Camaros where owners take deliver of their car from Matt Murphy.
If you haven't seen one, you will want to come out at 11 a.m. to witness what all the excitement is about.
Channel 7 TV will be setting up a mobile unit the day of the car show.
The Beck Brothers country band from Colchester will be playing from 1 to 3 p.m.
Doug Marion of California and of Chevy Rumble Magazine will again be at the show along with other magazine writers.
There will be several nice things to auction off - and maybe some surprises, and "free" face painting for the kids. And, of course, there will be lots of food & soft drinks on the grounds.
There will be more trophies awarded this year as the entries and sponsorships have grown.
Cars will be displayed in the LaHarpe Park District located along Illinois HWY 9. It is east of the football field and on a section of the golf course. For more information call Kenny Brown evenings at 217-659-7947, Jerry Burford days at 217-659-3613 or check the web at www.fredgibb.com.