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, 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.
Please stay tuned for more details coming out regarding the schedule.
This Watkins Glen Promotions event promises to be a memorable experience for Corvette owners and fans alike!
Information regarding Keynote Speaker Richard Prince:
Richard Prince has been immersed in the Corvette hobby since the 1970s. From 1988 through 1995 he owned and operated a full-service Corvette restoration shop and has been writing about and photographing Corvettes and other vehicles since 1991. In addition to his most recent book, Corvette Stingray The Mid-Engine Evolution, which was published in 2024, and Corvette 70 Years: The One and Only, which was published in 2023, he has authored a 1968-1982 Corvette restoration guide book and two Corvette buyer’s guide books.
Prince’s writing and photography have also appeared in more than 400 publications around the world, including Car and Driver, Road & Track, Motor Trend, Automobile, Hot Rod, Corvette Magazine, Vogue, Maxim, The New York Times, USA Today, Racecar Engineering, Vintage Motorsport, and RACER.
He has traveled the world photographing the factory Corvette Racing program for Chevrolet since it began testing in 1997, and has photographed each generation of new production Corvettes for Chevrolet since the C5 was introduced. Prince’s decades of devotion to Corvette were recognized in August 2024 when he was inducted into the National Corvette Museum’s Hall of Fame.
Prince continues to own, restore, preserve, drive, and love various vintage Corvettes and other special interest cars.
Vendor Application
Food 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 Partner: The Hotel Laurel
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.
Rain or Shine
Friday
May 15th, 2026
MORE INFO COMING SOON
Saturday
May 16th, 2026
MORE INFO COMING SOON
Our 2025 Sponsors
This festival would not be possible without help from our generous local sponsors.
Platinum Sponsor: Kookalaroc’s Bar & Grill
Platinum Sponsor: J.R. Dill Winery
Platinum Sponsor: Walters Elkland Chevrolet
Platinum Sponsor: Watkins Glen International
Program Sponsor: Basil Chevrolet
T-Shirt Sponsor: Camoradi USA Race Team
Dash Plaque Sponsor: Davis Ulmer Fire Protection
Silver Sponsor: Maguire Cars
Silver Sponsor: Hale Roofing
Silver Sponsor: Skyworks Rental
Silver Sponsor: Van Bortel Corvette
Silver Sponsor: Chemung Canal Trust Company
Silver Sponsor: Cayuga Health
Silver Sponsor: Visions Federal Credit Union
Silver Sponsor: Hagerty Insurance
Silver Sponsor: AMRIC Security
Partner: Watkins Glen Chamber of Commerce
