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2008 CONVENTION • "THUNDER ACROSS THE PLAINS"
Thursday, June 12: The special $88 convention rate at the Hilton begins June 10, but Thursday, June 12, is the official arrival date, with registration taking place from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. This will be followed by our welcome at 5:30, consisting of a light supper and a cash bar. Following the welcome, our club has arranged a Thursday evening event you won't want to miss. Wichita's Native American heritage and history is exempified by our community icon, the Keeper of the Plains satue and recreational area, situated prominently at the confluence of the Big and Little Arkansas Rivers in Wichita's Delano/Riverside district. At about 8:00 that evening we will transport you to the area for a short stroll and an impressive sundown event, then transport you back to the hotel for a good night's sleep. During your stay at the Hilton, our Thunderbirds will not only be guarded by the Wichita Police Department and private police officers, but will also be in view from your hotel room window. Friday, June 13: Wichita is "Air Capital of the World" an it seems appropriate to show you the inner workings of a major airplane manufacturer. Club members have arranged for Cessna Aircraft to take us on a private tour of the Cessna Citation facility. This is a short bus ride from the hotel, and the tour will be conducted in the morning. (In the event that a world event would cause Cessna to temporarily bar any tours, we have an equally interesting alternative plan for you.) Lunch will be on your own upon return to the hotel. Friday afternoon will provide a chance to clean up the cars for judging; hoses and washing equipment will be provided by the hotel. The judges' meeting will also be conducted at that time. Late Friday afternoon we will board the bus for a short trip to a private museum of classic cars. Have you ever seen a Pebble Beach winner? Have you ever seen six of them in one place? Well, these are just a few of the cars included in the private museum of a local aircraft equipment manufacturer! After returning to the Hilton we will enjoy a casual evening meal and mixer along with some local entertainment. The balance of the evening can be spent on your own, in the Hospitality Room, at the great Hilton bar or getting a good rest for the next day. Saturday, June 14: Saturday morning marks the beginning of the Concours, with a judges' and owners' meeting at 8:00 a.m., followed by judging, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Participants are encouraged to remain near their cars even after the judging is over. Due to the high visibility of the location, the public is likely to want to see our beautiful cars. Judges' lunch will be provided. The Thunderbird and Ford Parts Swap and Shop will also be in progress near the judging area. An outdoor hospitality tent with cold refreshments is also planned. For those family members who do not want to spend the entire day with the cars, transportation will be provided to lcoations of your choice: Old Town and the Museum of Ancient Treasures, Cowtown, Wichita Art Museum and Exploration Place, just to name a few. Al buses and visitors will be returning to the hotel in ample time to prepare for the Car Tales Hour and awards banquet! Sunday, June 15: Now...the work is done, the judging is finished, the banquet is over. Don't immediately hit the road; take an extra day to relax with us by attending our "Cruizin' in the Jungle" Father's Day at the Zoo Car Show! This is one of our best annual car shows. Follow the caravan carefully led by Mid-Kansas members from the Hilton to the Sedgwick County Zoo, considered one of the top five in the country! There wildlife resides in its natural habitat and our cars will be parked throughout the zoo grounds ina paved and shaded setting. From 9:00 a.m. to about 3:30 p.m. you will show your beautiful Thunderbird to several thousand appreciative people who have never seen your car before! Participants and families can divide their time between showing their cars and enjoying our zoo. We guarantee you will not run out of things to see in the time allotted. All cars present are eligible for sponsors' trophies (no judging), and the awards presentations will conclude at about 3:30 p.m. Wyou will be escorted back to the Hilton after "Cruizin' in the Jungle" is over. Participants can relax by the pool, enjoy a great meal in Legends or at any of the other many nearby restaurants. Anything else you want to see? Throughout your stay, our regional convention is also offering a Mid-Kansas-staffed concierge booth in addition to the Hilton staff. All registrants will be provided with a copy of our Convention and Visitors Bureau's brochure Find Yourself in Wichita, which lists many, many other attractions and places to shop, dine and relax. Our Mid-Kansas Concierge is there to assist you in finding your way to any special attraction our city has to offer. Assistance may come in the form of directions, transportation, advice and experience. We don't want any of our guests to go away without seeing what is of special interest to them in our great city. For further information, contact Rod or Beverly Wake: (316) 722-2028 or B.A.Wake@cox.net. |