By Janice Morse
The Cincinnati Enquirer

George Bley and his 1954 Corvette will lead the Butler County Antique and Classic Car Parade on Saturday. (Leigh Patton photo) | ZOOM |

HAMILTON - Nearly three dozen Corvettes will help rev up the 49th annual Butler County Antique and Classic Car Parade on Saturday.

The Chevrolet Corvette turns 50 this year and is being highlighted in the Hamilton parade. It's the oldest and largest locally sponsored antique and classic car parade in the United States, organizers say.

"People look forward to this parade because it has a long history here," said Butler County Coroner Dr. Richard P. Burkhardt, who has been active with the Antique and Classic Car Club of Butler County for years.

"Most shows, people just pull into a parking lot and open up the hoods. The thing that makes this one stand out is that the cars actually run."

Normally, the parade is limited to cars that meet certain criteria to be officially classified as "antique" or "classic." But because of the Corvette anniversary this year, all unmodified Corvettes through 2003 will be permitted to register and parade. More than 130 vehicles of all types have pre-registered, Burkhardt said; a good number of last-minute registrations are expected.

Leading the parade: a 1954 'Vette driven by George Bley.

"That's kind of a real rare car, the '54; I've had it 21 years. It was the second year of production and they only made 3,640 of them. They made 353 the first year," he said. His pennant blue car with tan interior is especially rare, said Bley, 50, of Hamilton. He said it's a special honor to drive the lead car.

Also making a guest appearance: "Betsy," Burkhardt's two-tone maroon 1930 Packard 740 Club Sedan He first rode in it as an infant coming home from his birth at a Dayton, Ohio, hospital in 1938.

If you go

Cars assemble at the Hamilton West Shopping Center at Brookwood Avenue and Main Street beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday.

The parade rolls out at 1 p.m., and heads down Main Street to Monument Avenue, then to Neilan Boulevard and River Road, ending at Patterson Road and Pleasant Avenue.

The cars return to the old Butler County Courthouse area for an awards presentation at 4 p.m.

For more information: Web site.

E-mail jmorse@enquirer.com