Save the date for the annual festival
commemorating the birthplace of the Corvette Concept: Watkins Glen, NY!
2026 marks the 73rd anniversary of the Corvette, designed and engineered by General Motors chief stylist Harley J. Earl, who was inspired while attending the 1951 races at Watkins Glen. The first Corvette, quickly dubbed “America’s Sports Car,” thrilled onlookers at the races at the Glen two years later.
Corvette Thunder in the Glen, May 15-16, 2026, Presented by Elm Chevrolet, celebrates Harley Earl’s legacy, with two days of activities at Clute Park on the shores of beautiful Seneca Lake, on the Village’s main street, and at the historic Watkins Glen International racetrack.
Kick off the Corvette weekend Friday night with sunset cocktails and appetizers on Seneca Lake. The highly esteemed Ron Fellows will be our guest of honor! He will bring his expertise to our guests and open up the floor for a Q&A. (The Friday evening Meet & Greet is SOLD OUT).
Then on Saturday, downtown Watkins Glen roars to life with hundreds of Corvettes on display, live music, food vendors, shopping, and thrilling parade laps on the historic original circuit and Watkins Glen International.
Celebrate speed, style, and Corvette heritage all weekend long!
Friday’s dinner is a ticketed event; Saturday has both a Classic and Premium package options for display Corvettes. As always, spectators are free. Please see below for more details.
This Watkins Glen Promotions event promises to be a memorable experience for Corvette owners and fans alike!
Information regarding Keynote Speaker Ron Fellows:
“Ron Fellows’ impressive skill as a driver for the Corvette Racing Team has earned him the respect of Corvette fans everywhere. His 27 wins, three ALMS championships and two wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, along with his unprecedented four consecutive “Most Popular Driver” awards from ALMS fans, testify to his track record of success. Although he has not raced for the factory team since 2008, he remains one of the most recognizable, respected and popular personalities to ever represent Corvette’s racing heritage. As evidence of his enormous popularity, GM paid tribute to Ron by creating the “Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06” in 2007.
While he still races in NASCAR events and is tied with Terry Labonte for the most road course wins in NASCAR history, Ron has served as an advisor for the GM/Pratt & Miller factory team and an ambassador for Corvette in general, showing up at races, Corvette Corrals, Corvette functions and charities, often auctioning off passes to the Ron Fellows Driving School for worthwhile causes.”
-National Corvette Museum
Vendor Application
Food vendors and Corvette and Motorsports related vendors only, with extremely limited spaces available!
We Need your help! register to volunteer here!
Many shifts and different types of activities involved. Please take a look; this festival cannot happen without volunteers.
Our 50/50 Fundraiser is LIVE
The History of Corvette And Watkins Glen
Kip Zeiter from the International Motor Racing Research Center, wrote an excellent article regarding the beginnings of the Corvette Concept at Watkins Glen. This was published by Vette Vues.
Our Official Hotel Partners
We are pleased to announce that we have partnered with the Seneca Lodge. Nestled in the hills above Seneca Lake and located a stone’s throw from the gorge in Watkins Glen State Park the Seneca Lodge has been a landmark for vacationers, sportsmen and racing enthusiasts for more than 50 years. They will be offering discounted rates for the weekend of our festival to our registrants and attendees! For more information and to reserve a room, you must call their location directly at 607-535-2014.
We are pleased to announce that we have partnered with the The Hotel Radisson Corning, a fan favorite local hotel right near Market Street. They will be offering discounted rates for the weekend of our festival to our registrants and attendees! For more information and to reserve a room, click the link below or call 607-962-5000, and mention the Corvette: Thunder in the Glen to receive the rate. Any unused rooms will be open to the public as of 4/1/2026.
We are pleased to announce that we have partnered with the The Hotel Laurel, an accommodation that has a rich history in motor racing. They will be offering discounted rates for the weekend of our festival to our registrants and attendees! For more information, please call them at 607-535-2706, and mention the Corvette: Thunder in the Glen to receive the rate. Any unused rooms will be open to the public as of 2/28/2026.
Rain or Shine
Friday
May 15th, 2026
Sunset Cocktails on Seneca Lake | 6-9 PM
Get ready to kick off the Corvette Festival in style! Join us for a special Friday night Meet & Greet with Ron Fellows at the stunning Seneca Lake Events Center.
As the sun dips below the horizon, enjoy sunset cocktails and delicious appetizers with fellow Corvette enthusiasts. It’s the perfect opportunity to mingle, share your passion for these iconic cars, and soak in the beautiful lakeside views.
You won’t want to miss this evening of camaraderie, fine sips, and engaging conversation.
Saturday
May 16th, 2026
Downtown Block Party with Grand Prix Circuit Laps | 11AM- 4PM
Get ready for an unforgettable day celebrating America’s iconic sports car – the Corvette – at the Grand Prix Festival! Watkins Glen’s legendary racing heritage comes to life in this exciting, family-friendly event.
From late morning through the afternoon, Franklin Street will be closed to traffic and filled with Corvettes of every era. More than 300 stunning machines line our historic downtown street, gleaming for all to admire. Take your time strolling through the rows of Corvettes, chatting with owners, and soaking in the electric atmosphere.
- Hundreds of Corvettes on display
- Live music to keep the energy up
- Local shops and restaurants open for you to explore
- Vendors offering food, drinks, and Corvette related merchandise
Franklin Street becomes the ultimate Corvette gallery — don’t forget your camera. Admission is free for spectators — join us and be part of the excitement!
Our 2026 Sponsors
This festival would not be possible without help from our generous sponsors.
Title Sponsor: Elm Chevrolet
Platinum Level Sponsor: Donation in Honor of the late Dr. Renato J Rojas
Meet & Greet Sponsor: JR Dill Winery
Gold Level Sponsor: Watkins Glen International
Gold Level Sponsor: Finger Lakes Dumpster Company
T-Shirt Sponsor: US Salt
Dash Plaque Sponsor: Grand Finale Inc
Silver Sponsor: Radisson Hotel Corning
Silver Sponsor: Faithful Companions
Silver Sponsor: Seneca Lodge
Silver Sponsor: Hale Roofing
Silver Sponsor: Chemung Canal Trust Company
Silver Sponsor: Skyworks rental LLC
Silver Sponsor: The Hilliard Corporation
Silver Sponsor: Nickel’s Pit BBQ
In-Kind Sponsor: Finger Lakes Dumpster Company
In-Kind Media Sponsor: Corvette Magazine
Partner: Watkins Glen Chamber of Commerce
