The National Corvette Museum will be celebrating its 16th anniversary this weekend. Along with the museum staff, some local businesses are also helping to welcome Corvette-enthusiasts.

The Downtown Merchants and Professionals Association hosted a Wine and Cheese Welcome event on the Square yesterday night for the general public, especially including those visitors who are in town for the museum’s 16th anniversary festivities, said Michael Barron, the owner of Morris Jewelry.

Visitors could get $5 tickets that entitled them to specials on drinks such as wine and beer at any of the following establishments: Verdi Restaurant and Bar, Bowling Green Pipe and Cigar, 440 Main, Fluid Nightclub, Entourage Tapas Bar and Lounge, Mariah’s Restaurant and Utley’s Bar and Grill.

Money from the event will benefit the Capitol Arts Alliance, said Karen Hume, executive director of the Capitol Arts Center.

“It will be used for everyday operations,” she said.

The Capitol Arts Center also hosted a concert to kick off the festivities for the weekend.

The concert featured the local group the Fender Benders as well as Will Makar and The Red Line, Hume said.

Makar was a top-14 finalist on American Idol during season five in 2006, according to the band’s website.

The celebration will continue through Saturday night.

The cost is free for lifetime members, $15 per person for members of the museum and $25 per person for non-members, said Katie Frassinelli, marketing manager for corvette museum.

There are also a variety of festivities happening this weekend at the museum such as a Celebrity Choice Car Show, a silent auction, a raffle drawing for an Arctic White Grand Sport Coupe, a car show and the Hall of Fame Induction Banquet, she said.

The three individuals that will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at 6:30 p.m. on Friday night are Grady Davis, Fred Gallasch and James Ingle. The inductees were chosen for their contributions to the Corvette industry, Frassinelli said.

But they haven’t forgotten to include the ladies that may be at the event.

There will be a Ladies’ Oasis set up on Saturday and Sunday located on Victory Lane.

This is the third year that this has been offered, she said.

The event will offer $1-a-minute massages, nail treatments, hand scrubs and a relaxation area for all women registrants, according to the website.

The celebration festivities will end with Meal and a Moovie at Chaney’s Dairy Barn.

The cost is $17 per person for a member of the museum and $20 for non-members, according to the website.