Corbin officials preparing for ‘Horsepower Weekend’

Corbin will play host Saturday to two of the area’s largest annual displays of horsepower.
The 27th Annual Lake Laurel Horse Show will kick-off Saturday at the Corbin Civic Center Horse Show Grounds and promises another blue-ribbon year. Always highly attended, the show features some of the finest show horses from 13 states. The show is sponsored by the Greater Corbin Chamber of Commerce and will begin promptly at 5:00 p.m.
Horses and riders will compete in over 34 categories of events and $12,000 in cash awards will be given to winners.
On the same day, the Cumberland Valley Cruise-will take place on Main Street in downtown Corbin.
From noon to 6:30 p.m., some of the finest automobiles from around the area will be on display for motor enthusiasts and the casual observer alike.
“I think it’s a good opportunity for people to see two very different events in our city,” said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bruce Carpenter. “These are two pretty good size events and it’s the first year the Chamber has been involved with both of them at the same time.”
Carpenter said there were about 100 vehicles at last year’s cruise-in, but expects over 200 this year because of better marketing and promotion. The car show has been listed and advertised in Show and Shine – a nationally published calendar of events for car show regulars – and has been promoted through other outlets.
“We got the word out to a lot more cars clubs and cruise-ins around the state and in Ohio and Tennessee this year,” Carpenter said. “I think just word of mouth alone will bring more people out.”
Inflatables will be set up at the cruise-in for children to play on, and a tent will be placed in NIBROC Park. Cruise-in circuit DJ “The Iceman” will be on hand to thrill crowds with music and commentary during the show.
“He’s very familiar with all the folks that travel these cruise-ins,” Carpenter said. “He plays a lot of 50s and 60s music and does a lot of announcing and everything. There will be quite a bit going on at this show.”
Food, door prizes, t-shirts, hayrides and games will all be available at the event. A “Poker Run and Walk” will be held the day of the show for anyone that wants to take part.
The Cumberland Valley Cruise-in is sponsored by Johnny Wheels, The Depot on Main, Advance Auto Parts, Falls Ford Lincoln Mercury and Falls GMC, Pontiac and Buick, Cumberland Valley National Bank and the Corbin Tourism and Convention Commission.
Main Street will be closed to through traffic from 10:00 a.m. until the cruise-in is complete.
Admission to the cruise-in is free. Automobiles will be registered the day of the show and there is no entry fee.
Admission for the Lake Laurel Horse Show is $5 for adults and $3 for kids ages 6-17. Kids five and under get into the show for free.