Greg Damveld of Dorr poses next to his 1953-2003 Commemorative Edition Corvette. The vehicle, released for the Corvette's 50th anniversary, resembles the first Corvette built in 1953. "We just think of it as a free car wash," said Dwayne Folsom of Gwinn as he polished his sleek, red, 1977 Corvette, just after heavy rain pounded the parking lot at the 19th annual Corvette Crossroads show in Mackinaw City Saturday, August 23. Well prepared for the rain, owners of 180 registered Corvettes emerged from their vehicles and plastic shelters to find hot sun and steam rising amid their favorite cars. Crowds perused their vehicles, unhindered by the rain, as un-registered Corvettes cruised around town.

"It's a rain or shine show," said Dawn Edwards, director of the Mackinaw Area Chamber of Commerce, a sponsor of the event.

"When the downpour started, they just got in their cars, listened to the radio, and [some] got out umbrellas," she said. Some umbrellas were designed to attach to the cars, allowing participants to sit beside them.

Just after a heavy downpour, participants admire 180 registered Corvettes at the Corvette Crossroads Show Saturday, August 23, at Mackinaw City. Participants say it rains almost every year, but it never stops the show. This show hosted more new and heavily modified cars than last year, said Marian Harrison of Cheboygan, who has been involved with the event since its beginning.

Several models had never been displayed at the Corvette Crossroads show before, said Kelly Vieau, administrative assistant at the Chamber.

At the far end of the parking lot, Greg Damveld of Dorr fielded questions about his rare, white, 1953-2003 Commemorative Edition Corvette. It's designed to look like a 1953, the first year Corvettes were produced. He explained to curious crowds that the original was smaller, but the special edition retains the unusual, chrome grill and other retro-styling features, like extended taillights.

It has the style of an old Corvette, and the ride of a new car, Mr. Damveld boasted. Like many, Mr. Damveld cruised to Mackinaw City with a group from his area, taking it slow for the 150-mile drive.

Randy Westbrook of Coloma, first-place winner of the 1953-to- 1962 stock car division at the Corvette Crossroads Show in Mackinaw City, poses next to his 1959 red and white coupe Saturday, August 23. Mr. Damveld returned to the Crossroads show after a 10-year absence. He arrived with a new pace car and led the parade over the Mackinac Bridge, a favorite annual tradition.

"We're rolling again, and [Corvette owners] love to talk about their cars," said Patrick Dolan, emcee of the show, just as the sun returned.

A member of the Lake Superior Corvette Club, Dwayne Folsom said he loves how Corvettes hug the road and handle curves flawlessly.

"They're just a nice, soft, ride," he said. Mr. Folsom comes to the Crossroads show every year because it is strictly a Corvette show.

Randy Westbrook of Coloma, a member of the Corvette Coventry club of southwestern Michigan, said he obtained Corvettes for three important rites of passage in his life: 1959, the year he began to drive; 1965, the year his first son was born, and 1981, the year his second son was born. His sons now drive the second two cars, he added.

Dominique and Jerry Palacios of Saugatuck pose in front of their yellow, 2008 Corvette, at the Corvette Crossroads Show in Mackinaw City Saturday, August 23. He has displayed his cars at the show for 10 or 11 years, and like many, he noted that it rains at the Crossroads show almost every year. Participants are used to it, and seldom let weather dissuade them from assembling in Mackinaw City, a good destination for a vacation, he said. Many participants peruse the Mackinaw City Fine Arts and Crafts Show nearby, which takes place the same weekend.

Mr. Westbrook is fond of the St. Ignace Car Show in June, and displays cars there also.

"It's an American thing," said Jerry Palacios of Saugatuck, a first time participant at the Crossroads show.

He and his wife, Dominique, displayed a yellow, 2008 Corvette.

Corvettes are the main Americanmade sports car, he said.

"It has always been the one and only," he added. Other sports cars, like Dodge Vipers, are more on the muscle-car end of the spectrum, he said.

A retired police officer, Mr. Westbrook named his car "The Fuzz."

Standing at the National Council of Corvette Clubs booth, Jennifer Dolan said she and her sister, Sarah Dolan, grew up enjoying these cars.

"We have made a lot of friends at Corvette shows," said Sarah Dolan.

One of their favorite aspects of the shows is soliciting support for the National Kidney Foundation, they added.

Mackinaw City's Corvette Crossroads Auto Show Winners

1953 - 1962 STOCK

1st - Randy Westbrook, Coloma, 1959 Red and White Coupe

2nd - Jack Smith, Jackson, 1957 Venetian Red and Beige Convertible

F.I.

3rd - Randy McCarry, Neenah, Wisconsin, 1958 Signet Red Convertible

1963 - 1967 STOCK

1st - Fred Maxson, Bay City, 1963 Dark Blue Coupe

2nd - Stephen Massie, Horton, 1966 Mosport Green Coupe

3rd - Gregory K. Rasmussen, Grand Blanc, 1963 Red S/W Coupe

1968 - 1973 STOCK 1st - Philip Elder, Durand, 1973 Dark Blue T-Top

2nd - Michael Johnson, Defiance, Ohio, 1971 Yellow Convertible

3rd - Bob Weir, Clio, 1968 Red Convertible

1974 - 1977 STOCK

1st - Simon and Gloria Reiffer, Dimondale, 1977 White Coupe

2nd - Dave Fritz, Auburn, Indiana, 1976 White Coupe

3rd - Harold Goodacre, Gobles, 1977 Tan Coupe

1978 - 1982 STOCK

1st - Craig Iansiti and Janet Hardin, Mason, 1982 Charcoal Coupe

2nd - Jerry Roethlisberger, Saginaw, 1982 Silver/Maroon Coupe

3rd - Ron and Kathy Maleport, Sault Ste. Marie, 1979 Blue Coupe

1984 - 1990 STOCK 1st - Dan Peele, Saginaw, 1987 Red Coupe

2nd - Greg Kapp, Williamston, 1984 Black Coupe

3rd - Tom West, Harbor Springs, 1986 Bronze Coupe

1991 - 1996 STOCK

1st - Darlene Johnson, Saginaw, 1994 White Coupe

2nd - Ken and Sandy Acton, Fenton, 1993 Torch Red Coupe

3rd - Arman and Marlene Hartung, Marshall, 1996 Admiral Blue Grand Sport

1997- 2004 STOCK

1st - Howard and Patricia Thomas, Auburn, Indiana, 1998 Purple Convertible

2nd - Pete Settler, Clinton, 1999 Red Hardtop Coupe

3rd - Chip and Thelma Topham, Saginaw, 2004 Blue Convertible

2005-2009 STOCK

1st - Paula and Art Fulkerson, Dearborn, 2008 Jet Stream Blue Coupe

2nd - Angelica Flewelling, Howell, 2008 White Coupe

3rd - James Kovacek, 2005 Millennium Yellow Coupe

1953 - 1973 MODIFIED

1st - Gary Bandelow, Lake City, 1973 Black Stingray

1974 - 1982 MODIFIED

1st - Dewayne Folsom, Gwinn, 1977 Red C3

2nd - Greg Torsky, Mackinaw City, 1979 Black Coupe

3rd - Joe and Jan Eggli - Traverse City, 1979 Black Coupe

1984 - 1990 MODIFIED

1st - Kevin Vandock, Delta, Ohio, 1987 Coupe

2nd - LJ Goheen, Battle Creek, 1989 Charcoal C4 Convertible

3rd - Bruce and Donna Hunter, Kalamazoo, 1988 Red Convertible

1991- 1996 MODIFIED

1st - Orie Kalee, Clarkston, 1994 Red Convertible

2nd - Donald R. Mason, Greenville, 1994 Yellow Roadster

1997-2004 MODIFIED

1st - James Eck, Oregon, Ohio, 2000 Torch Red Coupe

2nd - Tom Anthes, Grand Rapids, 1999 Torch Red Convertible

3rd - Greg and Mary Damveld, Dorr, 1999 White Convertible

2005-2009 MODIFIED

1st - Tom Smith, North Branch, 2007 Velocity Yellow

2nd - Greg Palacios, Sagatuck, 2008 Yellow Coupe

3rd - Bob and Kathy Kroupa, Indian River, 2008 Blue Convertible

1953 - 2009 FULL

1st - Randy Gisse, Mason, 2000 Torch Red Convertible

CLUB

Team Corvette with 21 Registered Corvettes

DISTANCE

Bob Hamilton from Warrenton, Missouri, drove 740 miles to the show.