First ever Corvette and Mustang show coming to area

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[This August, Corvettes and Mustangs will be flocking to the area for the Ellis Grove Fire Department's first ever Corvette and Mustang Car Show.

Organizer Tom Moll said he announced the idea of this specific show last year at the department's 10th Annual Car Show. The event was officially announced later at the annual Brighton Car Show.

Since announcing the show, Moll has talked to area car clubs to gauge their excitement and he said that the response has been great so far.

The show, which is the first of its kind for southern Illinois, will be held on Aug. 22. All clubs and individuals wishing to show their Corvettes and Mustangs of all years are invited to participate.

For Corvettes, there will be six stock and three modified classes. For Mustangs, there will be nine stock and eight modified classes. The top three in each class will receive an award plaque. (Classes are subject to change.) There will also be special awards for the best engine, best custom, best paint, club participation and best of show in both the Mustang and Corvette divisions. Dash plates will also be given to the first 150 entries.

Also at the show will be lots of attendance prizes, awards and a big raffle. Prizes featured in the raffle include a queen sized quilt and Mustang and Corvette benches and clocks. Raffle tickets are available by contacting a fire department member, at some local businesses and through Moll himself.

The fire department will also have a food stand set up and will be selling chicken plates.

The day of the show, registration will start at 8 a.m., with judging to follow at noon. The awards presentation will be at 4 p.m.

Moll commented that he and his assistant, R.L. Eggemeyer, have been working very hard on this show and are dedicated to producing the best show possible.

Sponsors for the show include: Jim Semanski Corvette Sales in Carbondale, Mertz Ford in Millstadt, Daniel Geisen and Andy's Auto Body in Chester, country radio stations B93.1 KBDZ-FM and KSGM AM-980, 4D Construction of Sparta, R. Hess Construction of Red Bud, JW Buildings of Ste. Genevieve, Thompson Tire of Perryville and Krieg Heating of Freeburg.

Proceeds from the show will benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

For more information about the show, or to register to participate, call Tom Moll at 618-559-8929.