The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by David Grimes for the Quill
Members of the Fred Gibb Nation did not disappoint in showing up for the annual Fred Gibb Memorial Car Show at the La Harpe Park District this past weekend.
Helen Gibb, widow of the late Fred Gibb, described Saturday's event as "well attended and very well organized."
Now in its 7th year, the car show has grown from 19 to 41 classes. More than 500 cars were exhibited at this year's show.
Three featured cars selected for this year's tee-shirt logo were Evelyn Parrish's 1965 Chevrolet Impala SS, Dennis Cumby's 1970 LS-6 Chevelle and Annie Hartwig's #15 1968 Chevy II Gibb COPO Nova.
Three of only 200 manufactured very rare 1965 Z16 Chevelles were also on display, as was NASCAR's Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s stock car.
Attendees at the free show traveled from as far away as Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, Ohio and Seattle.
Jim Parks, a regular attendee at the car show, traveled from Madison, WI, to show his 2002 ZL-1 Camaro Super Car.
440 plaques were given out Saturday at the show's conclusion, with a minimum of three places awarded in each class category.
Parks, who manages an AC Delco store thinks there's good reason for the increase in the event's popularity.
"There was one or two classes for the kids to compete in this year," he said. "That provides incentive for the younger generation to get involved in the hobby and it's nice to see them come out for it like they have today."
Appreciation awards were given as well to representatives of KHQA Ch. 7-Quincy, WCAZ radio-Carthage and to Quill Publisher Dessa Rodeffer for their continuous support of the Fred Gibb Memorial Car Show.
A charity benefit auction also was conducted at the show's conclusion.
The Fred Gibb Memorial Car Show was preceded and followed up with car cruises to Macomb on Friday night and Saturday night, respectively.
Why do car enthusiasts flock to La Harpe every summer year after year for the show?
"People expect it," Mrs. Gibb said.
Best of the 7th Annual 2005 Fred Gibb Memorial Car Show are from left: Karen Foutz, Hillsdale, Best Mopar; Les Baer, Hillsdale, Best Ford; John Peterson, Moline, Best of Show with his 1941 Willies Coupe, and at right, Frank Kuhle, Wisconsin, Best GM.
Connie Gibb and Kim Howie with his "Fonzimobile"