CROWLEY - Diversity is a signature of The Great Race — diversity of people and diversity of competing vehicles. That’s what makes the event so attractive to fans and competitors alike. Open to automobiles manufactured prior to 1970, the 10-day event pits contestants in classic, vintage and antique categories against one another in a series of precision driving rally events, all taking place on public roads at controlled speeds. That means the Great Race isn’t just for those with competition licenses and hundreds of hours of track time to their credit, and it makes the event as much for spectators as for participants. The 2013 Great Race route traces the Mississippi River down across the Central United States, beginning with the event’s first stop in St. Paul, Minnesota on Friday, June 21. The precision driving event will be making a lunch stop in Crowley on June 29 and the overall response to the upcoming visit, though a little slow in coming, “is fabulous,” said Charlotte Jeffers, Tourism Director for the city. “I’m really impressed with the way Crowley is stepping up to the plate for this,” Jeffers said. “This is going to great national exposure for the city.” More than 70 volunteers have signed up to help with the Saturday event to be held in downtown Crowley. Those volunteers were to meet with officials Tuesday night to go over assignments and “tourism tips,” according to Jeffers. The Great Race entrance and introductions will be at 11 a.m. with an American flag-waving group of spectators on hand to welcome the cars into Crowley. The first car should be arriving in Crowley at approximately 11:20 a.m. ad, since this is a “precision-driving” contest, the competitiors are expected to be fairly grouped. Jeffers credits Great Race veterans Ed Habetz and Crowley City Attorney Tom Regan — fixtures in the race for the past several years — for bringing the event to Crowley. “They will be coming in from Baton Rouge and will be headed to Covington when they leave here,” Jeffers said. “They’re actually going out of their way to come to Crowley.” Habetz drives the vehicle while Regan performs navigational duties. Schedule From 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., the Acadiana Autism Society Great Race Antique Car and Bike Show fundraiser will be held at the Crowley Court Circle and part of Parkerson Avenue. Anyone interested in participating in the event should contact Bert or Sonja Simon at 584-2153. A separate bike show will be held with several motorcycle clubs participating and anyone interested in participating in that event should contact Sam Phillips at 514-2153. At 9:30 a.m. the Mire Elementary School Band will be playing an Independence Day concert at the Historic Rice Theatre. At 10:30 a.m. the opening ceremonies for the Great Race officially begin. There will be a welcoming address, a presentation of the colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, the National Anthem and the opening benediction. The committee is encouraging citizens to line East Hutchinson Avenue from the intersections at Eastern Avenue to Avenue I to welcome the race’s participants as they enter Crowley. Free flags will be distributed to the public. Lunch for the drivers and navigators participating in the event will be held from 11:20 a.m. until 1:50 p.m. featuring a menu of Cajun cuisine. The public is invited to view the Great Race rally cars — which will be parked downtown — during this time. The cars are only allotted 45 minutes for their stop in Crowley so those who wish to see each of the cars are encouraged to arrive early. From 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., local food will be sold by vendors who will be set up in the Historic Downtown area of Crowley. Among the vendors participating will be Fezzo’s Restaurant, Firehouse Cafe and the Crawfish Hut. Crowley’s Get Back band will be performing at The Courtyard, located directly across the street from Crowley’s City Hall, next door to Bayou Water and Wood Taxidermy. Anyone seeking more information on the event, wishing to volunteer or wanting to sponsor a Great Race Rally Car should contact one of the following people, Hank Capel, (337) 789-7100; Kim Bernard, (337) 782-0824; and Charlotte Jeffers, (337) 783-0824. Jeffers added that monetary donations to help offset the cost of hosting the luncheon for the drivers and their navigators are still being accepted. Contact her office at city hall for details.