For Immediate Release Media Contact: Steve Kappler or Marjorie Beenders
April 8, 2008 Phone: 573-636-8282 « Email: info@tbwgroup.net
Magic Dragon Offers Roaring Good Family Fun
at Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks
Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. –At high noon on Saturday, May 3, visitors to the Lake of the Ozarks’ historic Bagnell Dam Boulevard may want to cover their ears as hundreds of cars, trucks and motorcycles rev up their engines simultaneously for the incredible “Dragon Roar.” It’s just one of the unique and exciting events planned for the 20th annual Magic Dragon Street Meet Nationals Car Show presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts, May 2-4.
All makes, models and years of cars, trucks and motorcycles will be welcome at the Street Meet, the largest open class car show in Central Missouri. The show is free for spectators and is expected to attract 10,000 or more visitors and up to 800 street rods, customs, trucks, street machines, lead sleds and motorcycles from all over the United States. The Street Meet will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday; and 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Sunday along historic Bagnell Dam Boulevard (Business Hwy. 54) in Lake Ozark.
The event will offer participants a chance to display and earn honors for their extraordinary vehicles. Entrants will be judged in more than 40 classes for domestic and import vehicles, along with choice and specialty awards such as best supercharged, best interior, best exterior, best paint/graphics, best engine compartment and more. Vehicle owners will appreciate the convenience of “drive-through judging,” 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. Three awards will be given in each car and truck class and two awards will be given in the motorcycle classes. Prize winners will be announced at the awards ceremony at 1:00 p.m. Sunday.
One Grand Champion winner will receive a large trophy and $200 cash for the best car, truck or motorcycle in the entire show as determined by the judges. Last year’s Grand Champion winner was a 1955 Ford Thunderbird owned by Brad Epple of Lohman, Mo. It’s featured on the official 2008 Magic Dragon Street Meet Nationals Car Show T-shirt that will be available for purchase at the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce booth throughout the show. This year’s Grand Champion vehicle will grace next year’s car show T-shirt.
The popular Friday Night Fever Cruise will follow a new route this year, from Bagnell Dam over Highway 54 to Business 54 and back down Bagnell Dam Boulevard to the strip. “We’ve had great support from the Lake Ozark Board of Aldermen and police chief,” notes Alan Sullivan, event chairperson. “A parade of show cars adds a lot of impact to our event, so we appreciate the city’s support.”
Daybreak Rotary will give away a 2008 Ford Mustang Mach VI Conversion, in cooperation with Lakeway Ford, in its 3rd annual Auto Raffle. The car will be on display at the Main Stage and the drawing will be Saturday, May 3, around noon. “Someone is going to be very happy to win that car for a $30 ticket!” Sullivan says.
Back by popular demand, the Make-n-Take model activity, sponsored by Hawken Paint & Body, will offer kids a chance to assemble and take home a model Chevy Camaro Concept Car, free of charge. In addition the Lake Ozark Cub Scout Pack #21 will host a Pine Wood Derby Race at the Lake Ozark Fire Department on Bagnell Dam Blvd. Registration will begin at 1:00 p.m. and the racing will begin at approximately 1:30 p.m. All kits must be ordered through the Scouts, either locally or online. Information regarding ordering kits as well as rules and regulations is available at www.magicdragonstreetmeet.com.
Other activities will include a 95-mile scenic cruise Friday morning, the Dam Poker Run, and door-prize drawings. Vendor booths and swappers will offer car parts and accessories, and well-known DJ Leo Case will spin classic oldies throughout the event.
“Our mission statement says we want to bring a national quality show to the Lake outside of the peak tourist season in a unique environment, and we believe we accomplish that,” Sullivan says. “We continue to emphasize that it’s a family friendly show. And with hundreds of beautiful cars parked along three-quarters of a mile of the historic Bagnell Dam Strip and golden oldies playing in the background, it truly is a scene right out of ‘American Graffiti.’”
Traffic will be diverted from the show area to a safe alternate route from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. Parking will be available at each end of the Strip, for a minimal donation to the Osage High School band and other youth organizations. A free shuttle service will transport visitors from the parking lots to the show area.
The event not only benefits businesses along Bagnell Dam Boulevard, but also the entire Lake area since a lot of the show attendees and participants stay at the Lake for two or three nights,” says Michelle Cook, director of marketing for the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. Adds Sullivan, “The overwhelming majority of businesses appreciate that the Street Meet brings so many people to the area.”
Additional Magic Dragon Street Meet Nationals sponsors include Lake Ozark Speedway, Summer USA, Robin’s Resort, Central Bank, First National Bank and Missouri Eagle.
The registration fee will be $30 through April 28. After that date, participants can pay at the event. Registration will take place at the show, beginning Thursday, May 1, 4:00-8:00 p.m., and daily registration will be 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday. To get more information, download registration forms or register online, visit the Street Meet web site at www.magicdragonstreetmeet.com.
For details about discount lodging for the Street Meet as well as Lake-area dining, shopping and attractions, call the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce at 573-964-1008 or 800-451-4117, or visit www.lakeareachamber.com. The Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau also has complete information at 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253) or online at www.funlake.com.
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