Bug Fest "99

May 22, 1999 I  attended the Real Source 'BugFest '99' Volkswagen Celebration, in Effingham Illinois.     By arriving early (7:00 A.M.) I had the good fortune to park at the corner of the main entrance, allowing me to watch all of the other VW's and visitors enter the grounds.  I was pleased to meet the other members of the Central Illinois Volkswagen Association, which was assisting with the show, and which I had only joined a few weeks before.

I had a display case out front with my 1973 Thing magazine articles.  In the trunk were my many VW repair manuals, and my two round tool boxes, both complete, one old original and one new reproduction.  Along the driver's side at the rear of the vehicle was my display of Scotch Plaid picnic gear.  Also notice the working parking meter I carry along just to be legal when I do park.

The club had a registration tent setup, and signed many new members.

By midday, over 375 VW's both new and old had arrived for this free event.  There was celebrity judging beginning at 10:30.  There were no classes as such, and cars belonging to members of the sponsoring organization (CILVA) were exempted.   Congratulations to Elizabeth  Balog of Elyria Ohio, whose bright yellow 73 won a trophy:

The club also provided an opportunity for children, and the young at heart, to paint designs on a bus:

Here are some other pictures of the day's activities:

By the end of the day, 2 more things had arrived including an original Acapulco from Effingham and a White thing from central Illinois.  I talked to people from all over the Midwest and enjoyed my time there greatly.  I even met and spoke to Dennis Gage, star of the "My Classic Car " TV show, when he stopped to look at my car.  He told me he used to own one, and seeing mine brought back memories.