Heading out to central Pennsylvania’s Volksfest show is a bit like stepping back in time. Beyond the prodigious mix of great-looking early water-cooled VWs and masses of vintage air-cooled cars, Volksfest offers a refresher on the roots of the VW show scene.
To some, it might be surprising that VWs are as prevalent as they are in such a relatively rural region. Go to equally populated sections of the country and Volkswagen might not be as popular, but the strong German heritage in the area drives the hobby more than you might expect. Pennsylvania Dutch is a dialect more commonly attributed to the local Amish culture, but Germans of all types settled in the region years and years ago. This is one reason why one of the original VW dealers in the nation opened its doors in nearby Lancaster, PA when the German manufacturer first started selling cars in the States.
It’s not So-Cal, but there remains a strong cult-like following for air-cooled VWs in the area, and that’s always been a mainstay of the Volksfest show. After all, it’s organized and put on by the local Harrisburg Area Volkswagen Owners Club (HAVOC), which started out as an air-cooled focused organization back in the day.
Of course, water-cooleds are now classics as well, and there’s no shortage of local modern cars, either. From numerous MKV R32s and EOSs to great-looking MKI cars, Volksfest attracts them equally.
Also stepping a bit back in time, the vendor area is dominated by local folks trucking out used parts, as with swap meets of old. Local tuners like APTuning appreciably support the event year after year, though most of the vendor field has stayed low-glitz, where you’re more likely to strike up a deal over a dashboard or quarter panel laying in the grass or back of an old pickup, than you are to wait in mile-long lines for a chip flashing.
Volksfest remains a regional show, though it draws groups in from a surprisingly wide area. We’re always reminded of this as we head out of the small hamlet of Campelltown, PA, passing a motel dominated by a Long Island VW club — banners waving in the air.
Even better, if you’re making the drive in from very far away, there’s added motivation to make sure Volksfest finds a spot on your calendar. Each year, the VW event is held just miles away from the largest Porsche-only swap meet in the USA, held in nearby Hershey. Both happen on Saturday, but their proximity and size make hitting both doable, so long as rain hasn’t scared people off of the respective fields.
If you’re looking for a refresher of what grass-roots and club-sponsored shows were like before the VW hobby got so large, Volksfest should be at the top of your list. A relaxed atmosphere on the grounds of a local fire department, Volksfest takes on a laid-back and intimate atmosphere and is an excellent way to spend a sunny April afternoon.
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