John Schneider, the star of TV shows like "The Dukes of Hazzard", "Nip/Tuck" and "Smallville" will be a special guest at Lightning Fest 2009! He'll help to light up the eastern Iowa skies once again for two days straight on August 7 and 8. JL fans and fanatics from far and wide will converge at the intersections of Highways 136 & 20 for Lightning Fest 2009.

Repeated strikes are already predicted and you will be absolutely electrified with the new JL 40th Anniversary product offerings and Collector themes on display in the Johnny Lightning showroom. You can also help us celebrate four decades of die-cast excellence as we show off our newest tools and releases. Tom Zahorsky and the JL Team will be on-hand to answer your questions, showcase what’s new for 2009—and give you a preview at 2010. While you’re here, you’re also invited to help yourself to another slice of Iowa and see the industry-leading ERTL John Deere product line.

Did we mention the limited-edition Lightning Fest car for 2009: a Bright Red 1969 Pontiac GTO “Judge”, complete with Lightning Fest logos? It features a black interior, 5-spoke chrome rims and includes a Certificate of Authenticity that the car is 1 of only 175 produced. Don’t forget to keep your eyes open for White Lightnings and Lightning Strikes!

When the Lightning subsides, treat yourself to the short trip to the Field of Dreams movie site, enjoy the beauty of the Basilica of St. Frances Xavier, or tour the National Farm Toy Museum. For the best of Dyersville, visit www.dyersville.org/visitor_attractions.asp

• Comfort Inn – 563-875-7700 - Ask for “Lightning Fest 2009” rate
• Super 8 Motel- 563-875-8885
• Colonial Inn- 563-875-7194

Outlet Store Sale (Friday & Saturday 8-5pm)
The Johnny Lightning Team invites you to check out all the special deals on a wide assortment of Johnny Lightning diecast vehicles on Friday and Saturday from 8am-5pm. Tons of discounted product and full case quantities will be available. Store is located on the SE corner of Highway 136 & 20 interchange. Raffle drawings will be held in the store throughout Saturday with special gifts for those spending over $500. See you there!

Johnny Lightning Collector Club Design Forum (Friday 2-3pm)
The Johnny Lightning Design Team will be holding a Collector Club Design Forum on Friday from 2-3pm. JL Designer Tom Zahorsky will be discussing the process of designing a Johnny Lightning car from start to finish and give a behind the scenes look into 2010. Attendees will join Tom in a short brainstorming session and get a rare opportunity to collaborate on a future Johnny Lightning release. This closed-door session has limited space so don’t delay in registering for the FREE forum. To register, please send your contact information to: jllightning@gmail.com

Johnny Lightning Silent Charity Auction (Friday & Saturday 9-3pm)
At last year's Lightning Fest, the Johnny Lightning Team raised over $1,500 for The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. This year, the team would like to break the number set in 2008 and we need your help. The auction is being held on Friday and Saturday during Lightning Fest and you will have an opportunity to own a rare piece of Johnny Lightning history and help us fight cancer. All product will be on display in the RC2 Exhibit Hall and bidding will be from 9-3pm each day. All winners will be announced on Saturday at 3pm.
List of charity auction items

Relay For Life of Dyersville Race
Beckman High School
1325 9th St SE
Dyersville, IA
Starts: 8/7/09 7:00 PM
Ends: 8/8/09 7:00 AM
Race Distance: 0.87

For more information on the American Cancer Society or to register for the race visit: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=15960&pg=entry

Johnny Lightning Movie Premiere (Friday 5:30pm)
On Friday, Johnny Lightning will be holding its first-ever movie premiere showing the family-friendly movie Collier & Co. Come join the JL Team, along with special guest John Schneider, as they present this FREE showing in its entirety to friends and collectors. Get a behind the scenes look into the making of the movie, which was written and directed by John, and a glimpse into the developments on Collier & Co. 2. Come out to enjoy this action flick, you won’t want to miss it. FREE popcorn for all! Movie starts promptly at 5:30pm at the RC2 Exhibit Hall. Seating is limited so please arrive early.

Collier & Co.
Rated PG
Run time- 108 min
Plot: J.R. Collier, once the world's greatest racecar driver, is losing his family because he can't get racing out of his blood. His scheme to "go legit" by acquiring and reselling exotic cars -- cars he acquires by suckering the owners into racing for their pink slips -- runs afoul of the bad guys when he wins one car that has something in it they want.

Johnny Lightning Exhibitor Sales & Trading (Saturday 9-2pm)
For the second year, Johnny Lightning will open its doors to exhibitors who want to buy, sell or trade diecast collectibles and toys. Tables will be supplied and are FREE with a maximum of two tables per exhibitor. All sales and trading will take place in the RC2 Exhibit Hall on Saturday from 9am-2pm. Setup for exhibitors is at 8am. For more information and to register to be an exhibitor, please contact Cheryl Reiter @ clreiter@rc2corp.com

Lightning Meal (Saturday 11-12:30pm)
Lunch will be served in the South RC2 parking lot Saturday, from 11:00-12:30pm. Each Lightning meal deal will include Exclusive Lightning Fest Car, drink, chips, cookie and choice of a hamburger or hot dog. Proceeds from the lunch will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association of Team Domeyer/Helle. There are only 175 Lightning Fest Exclusive cars made! Don’t miss your chance to get this Bright Red 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge. Each features Bright Red exterior, black interior, five-spoke chrome rims and Lightning Fest logos on hood and doors. Look for White Lighting and Lightning Strikes versions!

Johnny Lightning Hot Dog Eating Contest (Saturday 12:30-1pm)
On Saturday, Johnny Lightning will hold it’s first-ever Johnny Lightning Hot Dog Eating Contest. Come out to challenge Johnny Lightning’s big eaters Chris Huisman and Tom Zahorsky in the biggest hot dog eating contest west of the Mississippi. Contest is $5 to enter and FREE to attend so don’t miss the fun! Contest begins at 12:30pm and one winner will be presented with a Johnny Lightning trophy and get bragging rights. All proceeds will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association of Team Domeyer/Helle. Johnny Lightning…Eats Them All!

Travelling Dukes Museum (Saturday 12-5pm) Paul Harrington from Ruscom Station, Ontario, Canada has been a Dukes fan since 1979. In 2006 he starred in a TV Show called “FANatical”, where he was pegged as “Canada's Biggest Dukes of Hazzard Fan”. He was also an extra in the remake of the Dukes of Hazzard TV show in 2005.

Now, he hosts a large car show, the Travelling Canadian Dukes Museum, in support of cancer which features the General Lee, dozens of real props from the TV show, and a 2005 remake of the Dukes. Check out his website at www.CanadianDukes.com

Inside the museum, fans of all ages will see Waylon Jennings’s worn denim vest, Jerry Rushing's worn overalls, donated right from Jerry—and of course a pair of Catherine Bach's Daisy Dukes shorts.

Plus, see the Wall of Fame, where some of the most famous TV and movie stars have left their mark. Stars from “The Dukes of Hazzard”, “Leave it to Beaver”, “Grizzly Adams”, “Happy Days”, “Three’s Company”, “Star Trek”, “The A-Team”, “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century”, “The Monkees”, “CHiPs”, “Married with Children”, “Mad Max”, “Star Wars”, “Tango & Cash”, “Superman”, “Batman”, “Friday the 13th”, :Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory”, and so many more!

So come out and see The Travelling Canadian Dukes Museum on Saturday!

Johnny Lightning Daisy Duke Look-ALike Contest (Saturday 2-3pm)
On Saturday, Johnny Lightning will hold a Daisy Duke Look-ALike contest in conjunction with Lightning Fest 2009. If you think you have the look of Daisy Duke, come out and strut your stuff for our celebrity judge, John Schneider, as he will judge all contestants. Contest starts at 2pm with judging and crowning of Miss Daisy Duke 2009 at 3pm. Contest and judging will be held in the RC2 Exhibit Hall, just look for the signs. The contest is FREE to enter and attend so don’t miss the fun!

Johnny Lightning Car Show (Saturday 1pm register, 2-5pm show, 4pm awards)
On Saturday August 8th, the Johnny Lightning Team will hold their annual Lightning Fest car show in the RC2 parking lot. The show is FREE to enter and attend! The show will be judged by the JL Team and trophies awarded for Best of Show, Best Engine, Best Paint, Best Interior, Best Display, Best GM, Best Mopar and Best Ford. Come out to meet our special Lightning Fest guest, John Schneider, and get your picture taken with the General Hazzard monster truck or the real General Lee. The Traveling Dukes Museum will also be on hand coming all the way from Canada. The show will take place rain or shine from 2-5pm. Pre-register at 1pm to receive an exclusive Johnny Lightning goody bag. Trophies will be presented at 4pm so don’t miss it! For more information or to register your pride-and-joy, please contact Cheryl Reiter @ clreiter@rc2corp.com

Johnny Lightning Celebrity Wiffle Ball Game (Saturday 6:30pm)
Come out and join the Johnny Lightning Team on Saturday in a Celebrity Wiffle® Ball game at West Side Park in Dyersville, sponsored by Wiffle Ball, Inc. Sign up today and you will be placed on one of two teams—play ball with fellow collectors, the JL Team, former JL Designers and John Schneider. An exclusive Wiffle® Ball car will be given to all players that join in on the fun. All players must be at least 10 year old. Let’s play ball! To register, please contact Jayne Hogan at jmhogan@rc2corp.com

Autograph Sessions(RC2 Exhibit Hall)
Friday- 3-5pm
John Schneider

Saturday- 10-12pm & 2-4pm
John Schneider

Schedules, events and guest appearances are subject to change.

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