Kenny Schmitt Benefit
Race To Recovery
Kenny
K&G Body Shop in Wilber, and its owners, Ken & Gina Schmitt, need a little community support right now. Classic car enthusiast Kenny Schmitt suffered an aortic dissection on Sunday February 23. This very sudden tear in the large blood vessel from his heart happened without any warning. Fortunately, Gina, his best friend and bride of 31 years, was standing right beside him when he collapsed. She acted immediately and Ken was rushed to Lincoln. While the initial heart surgery was a miraculous success, Ken also suffered a stroke before his blood flow could be regulated. He remained in ICU for many weeks but was finally healed enough to start recovery at Madonna Rehab Hospital in Lincoln at the end of March. He is already showing glimpses of his sense of humor and easily demonstrated the use of vice grips right away in therapy, but he has a long road of hard work and healing over the next few months.
Benefit Event
If anyone can Race to Recovery, we know that it is this Mopar King. In the meantime, while Ken & Gina focus on Ken’s recovery, their children and the staff at K&G Body Shop in Wilber are working to serve their customers and keep the family-owned business operating. Their friends are hosting a special event in Ken’s honor Saturday June 21st . Nothing in the Schmitt world is complete without a car or three, so there will be a car show, a pork feed and a parking lot party. Come for any one event, or spend all day celebrating the Ken way. All events are at Legion Park in Wilber. Proceeds will go to the family to bridge their financial needs as Ken heals. Most events will be free will offering, but $10 admission to the beer garden will be charged for those arriving after 6:30 p.m. to cover the cost of the band.
The Event
June 21, 2025
Bring your favorite hot rod and spend the afternoon showing it off. Registration will open at 2:00 for car owners. Voting categories include Best of Show, Best MOPAR entry, and Audience Favorite. Enter from the highway as the main road through the park will be closed to limit dust. All preregistered show cars will be parked on the grass. Awards at 6:30 p.m.
PORK FEED: Help yourself to a smoked pork sandwich or grab a Wilber Weiner and check out the car show. Doors open at 3:00 p.m. Serving begins at 4:30. Free will donation for meals. The first 500 are guaranteed food – but we expect a big crowd and busy day so come out early.
BEER GARDEN: The Wilber Legion will have the bar open all afternoon and evening. A $10 cover charge will apply for those arriving after 6:30.
PARKING LOT PARTY: Be ready to rock 80's style (Ken Schmitt mullets optional) when the band AM/FM takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. Guitarist Cole Moore went to high school with Kenny & Gina. If you want a treat in advance, AM/FM vocalist Jadyn Cree Olesen is currently a competitor on The Voice on NBC!
Wilber Legion Park
Wilber, Nebraska
Show and Shine
Registration
$20.00 + is the suggested donation, all preregistrations are welcome.
The T-Shirt
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