Imagine the ultimate road trip: A breeze rushing through the rolled-down windows of a shiny classic sports car (or a modern model, if you prefer). More than 5,000 miles through mountains, deserts and wide-open spaces bring new sights around every turn.

For drivers in the Southwest Corvette Caravan, the ultimate 5,000 mile road trip will become a reality from Aug. 22 to Aug. 28, 2019, with a drive from Pasadena, Calif., to the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Ky. It’s all part of the museum’s nationwide 25^th anniversary celebration, and Cape Girardeau is playing a major role.

The Southwest division of the Corvette Caravan will stay overnight in Cape on Tuesday, Aug. 27 before finishing the last leg of the trip. And we’re celebrating with a free downtown parade and car show.

The festivities kick off with a 3:30 pm parade on Aug. 27, featuring local Corvettes. Any Corvette owner is invited to bring their car to Capaha Park by 2:30 pm and join us for the Cruise Down Broadway. If you don’t have a Corvette, this unique parade is definitely worth seeing. Pick a spot along Broadway between Capaha Park and Main to watch classic and modern Corvettes of all colors drive through downtown Cape.

At the end of the route, the Corvettes will park in the lot across from Art Van Furniture on S. Main, and you can check them out up close. Around 5 pm, they’ll be joined by the Southwest Caravan. We don’t know exactly how many cars will arrive, but it’s estimated the trip will begin with 225 Corvettes and more will join in along the route. We do know there will be hundreds of cars to admire. The Caravan will be on display along Water Street, Main Street and Spanish Street until 10 pm.

Because there’ll be so much traffic in the downtown area during the Corvettes in Cape event, a shuttle will be running from the Isle Casino to the event and there will be parking along Broadway and surrounding areas.

The Corvette party goes from 5 to 10 pm, with everything you need: food, music and cars. Several downtown eateries are staying open late, along with food trucks. Two beer gardens will be pouring cold beverages, and live music will go from 5 to 9 pm. Providing the soundtrack for the evening: Bittersweet Band and Three of a Perfect Pair.

For more information about the 2019 Corvette Caravan, click here.