Jeff Jansen and 575 Cars are at it again as Jansen introduces a new event to Las Cruces in the forms of the Oktoberfest Volkswagen show 9 a.m.-1 p.m. this coming Saturday, Oct. 21.
This time the event is at the Sisbarro Autoworld Volkswagen, 1115 South Valley Drive, Las Cruces.
Because it’s a new event to the area, Jansen said he didn’t know how many cars might show up.
“It could be six or 600,” he said. “I do these events and it's like throwing a birthday party.”
But there are already more than six committed and he expects the gamut of the classic old VW bugs and micro-vans and newer styles, all the way up to the newest electric cars on offer.
Volkswagen people are of a whole different culture, Jansen said. For example, there are groups of folks who travel all over the country to go to events in their VW buses.
This first event is just the start, he said. Having promoted it out of state through Colorado, Arizona and Texas, Jansen hopes to grow it into a center for people to visit the area. He intends to include links to some of the beautiful tourist locations in the area from White Sands to Mesilla.
“My intent is not just to promote the event but to also promote Las Cruces, Mesilla, White Sands and more,” he said. “If you are going to come here from Boulder, Colorado, you are not going to come for a four-hour car show, – you are going to come for three days or so and you are going to camp out and look for things to do.”
Jansen said he doesn’t think all this will happen immediately this year, but rather once the event is established and better known.
In the meantime, drop in at Sisbarro Volkswagen Saturday to hang out with Bumblebee and Optimus Prime and see what's old and new. Live local music provides a backdrop for the event and food trucks will be on hand as well as a Kids Korner and Bounce House.
Trophies to be awarded include Best of Show; Best VW Bug; Best VW Bus; Best Karmann Ghia; Best Water-cooled VW; Best Paint; and Best Interior.
Arrival time for participating vehicles is 7-8:30 a.m. Vehicles are automatically entered for a chance to win a trophy, free of charge.
For information visit 575cars.com or 575cars on Facebook.
