The 20th Corvette Crossroads Auto Show will roar into Mackinaw City Saturday, August 29, with registration at 9 a.m. Corvettes will be displayed free of charge at Mackinaw Crossings Mall at 10 p.m.

For the 20th anniversary of the show, special buttons and dash plaques have been made for every person who registers a Corvette. A parade across the Mackinac Bridge, which begins at 7 p.m. Saturday, is free to all Corvette owners who wish to participate, said Kelly Vieau of the Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce. In previous years, owners were required to pay $6.

"The big draw is the parade across the bridge," Mrs. Vieau said.

The parade will begin at Mackinaw Crossings Mall at 6 p.m. and proceed down South Huron Street, cross Central Avenue, and continue on Nicolet Street, where the participants will cross the Mackinac Bridge.

About 150 Corvettes have registered for the show, she said, with additional owners expected to join. Owners from Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, Canada, and Michigan are among those who registered.

The show will take place rain or shine.

Awards will be given to the registered Corvette owner who travels the furthest to Mackinaw City, visitors choice, and clubs with the most registered Corvettes.

Vern Hiar of Mackinaw City has attended the last six Corvette shows in the village. An impassioned Corvette owner, Mr. Hiar is looking forward to the upcoming show.

"The event has always been fun," he said. "Corvette owners always like to talk about the cars, and the parade is always the best part."

Mr. Hiar has submitted his 1974 Stingray to each show. This year he will be bringing his recently purchased 2008 Coupe to the show.

The Stingray would have occasional mechanical problems, he said, mainly because of its age.

"Every time you turned the key, it wanted to leave you walking," he said. "Restoring it to like new condition would have cost an arm and a leg."

While he enjoys the look of the older Corvettes, Mr. Hiar enjoys the reliability of the new models.

"I prefer the ride in the new ones than the ride in the old ones. It's like night and day," he said.

Ultimately, the major draw for Mr. Hiar is the car's appearance.

"You can pick up a Corvette from the '50s, '60s, and up to the new models a mile away. They're extremely unique," he said.

Corvette Crossroads Show

and Weekend Events Saturday, August 29:

9 a.m. - Registration

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Corvette Crossroads Auto Show at Mackinaw Crossings Mall

10 a.m to 2 p.m. - Poker Walk free to registered corvette owners and family

10 a.m. to 7 p.m. - Mackinaw City Fine Arts and Crafts Show at Conkling Heritage Park

3 p.m. - Show Awards Presentation

6 p.m. - Mackinac Bridge Parade line up

7 p.m. - Mackinac Bridge Parade, free to all Corvettes

8 p.m. to 10 p.m. - Free live entertainment at Mackinaw Crossings Mall, laser light show

Sunday, August 30:

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Mackinaw Area Fine Arts and Crafts Show at Conkling Heritage Park

8 p.m. - Vesper Cruise at Arnold Line Main Dock