The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Dessa Rodeeffer, Quill Publisiher-Owner
There has been a lot of things happening with the La Harpe Classic Car Show since the damaging Derecho hit La Harpe on June 29, 2023, but a wonderful community can pull you through a lot.
The fast-moving thunderstorms rolled over the area with its multiple microbursts and downbursts leaving a mess of debris, down power lines and trees, and damage across La Harpe that took power crews, tree crews, city crews and many volunteers a few months to clear.
Later in 2023, strong winds hit La Harpe again, this time organizers had just set up for the La Harpe Classic Car Show. Winds knocked down the huge tents at the car show causing the cancellation of the show which was to be the 24th annual and the final year for original organizer Kenny Brown who was stepping down.
Kenny Brown handed the reins over to Jerry Burford after 24 long years of Brown and his co-workers making the show into a great annual event.
This year, Jerry Burford enlisted the help of Dale Russell, Jeannette Ford and Jeri Bennett. The decision was made to move the 25th Annual La Harpe Classic Car Show to the La Harpe City Park where there are shade trees - not tents- and the shelter house and stage, which would be their gathering place.
The women wanted to see arts, crafts, and vendor booths along with the car show so Brianne Burr has gathered 13 vendors so far to come to the show, plus, Monalissa Grave, who is in charge of the food, said six different vendors will be offering food.
Many of those who have come regularly with their cars still wanted to come back including Kenny Barnhardt of Elgin. He has sold his two orange ZL1s but the new owner will be there with one, the 1969 ZL1 Camaro Barnhardt purchased to race from Gibb Chevrolet in La Harpe..
Burford said, opening ceremonies will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the newly refurbished Veterans Memorial in the City Park. The Nauvoo Bagpipe Band will arrive at 9 a.m. to warm up and make ready for the show - which will salute America’s finest, our United States veterans who were in the service. The bagpipers will lead the veterans to the flag; a pastor will give the invocation, and Melissa Burt will again sing the National anthem.
This year’s 25th Anniversary logo salutes four veterans with pictures of their cars they had back-in-the-day… The honorees are local veterans: Mike Blythe, Harry Fark, Jerry Jones, and Darrel Kraft.
Burford said he has 27 classes that his judges will judge and trophies will be handed out in the afternoon at 3:00 p.m. for this 25th Anniversary Show.
Along with Ken Barnhardt there will be the #50 Nova, Dennis Cumby’s 1976 Chevrolet, Dick Harrell’s Nova from Galesburg and many others.
All proceeds raised after expenses will go to support the Honor Flight for veterans to go to Washington D.C..
Stan Clayton of Macomb will again be the DJ.
Jerry Burford so appreciates the support he has been given.
“If it wasn’t for all the support of all the businesses in Hancock County and the city of La Harpe, this show would not be happening,” he said. “The girls have really beat the bushes to help as well.”
Memorial Trophys will be given in Memory of 3 La Harpe car enthusiasts and car show promoters: Herb Fox, Todd Irish, and Paul Anderson.