Women Behind the Wheel: A Return to PCA Palooza by Joann Talty I’m not opposed to returning to old favorites, but my husband will tell you I prefer trying new experiences. In 2021, I had the audacity to take a long weekend off during holiday hair season for my first PCA Palooza in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. I suppose only a hairstylist with retirement on the mind does something like this. Now, I can’t imagine missing one!
... what exactly is PCA Palooza, other than two words that make my non-car friends giggle or roll their eyes? If you haven’t been, or this is the first time you’re hearing of this event, it is a multi-region PCA event in Northwest Arkansas, aka “Little Switzerland,” every second week in November organized by the White River, Cimarron, and Ozark Regions. The title sponsor is Porsche Tulsa. Since 2005, this four-day event brings in PCA members from across the US. After canceling Palooza in 2020, the 2021 event attracted about 360 cars, nearly 600 people, from about 14 states. This year, looking at the registration list (this is written prior to the event,) I see folks from 30 different PCA regions. In October a gentleman posted numbers for 2022 on the PCA Palooza Facebook site: 383 cars and 692 people from 12 states. But what exactly is Porsche Palooza, other than two words that make my non-car friends giggle or roll their eyes? It is three days of scheduled tours that leave each morning: six on Thursday, 11 (plus one ladies only) on Friday, and 11 on Saturday. You can sign up and attend one per day. There are Friday and Saturday evening social mixers and banquet-style dinners. There is a Thursday night ladies mingle and tea, a Friday night bingo, a Saturday Parade of Porsche Power through town, a Saturday afternoon swap meet, and a Saturday people’s choice car show. There are goodie 12 December
photos provided by author vendors and a Saturday tech session too. More than just a meal, Saturday’s banquet features a weekend wrap-up presentation, car show awards, and plenty of door prizes. Before attending last year, we asked many questions of those who had been. While there, we spoke to several Mavericks experiencing the weekend several different ways. If PCA Palooza is on your radar for 2023, it’s not too early to begin your planning. Before I offer tips shared with me, let me begin with some of our first-year mistakes we corrected for 2022. First, we didn’t set up an account and log into the website the minute it opened to register for some of the drives. They fill up fast! Second, we took only one car. As passenger, I took in the incredible fall color in the scenic mountain terrain around Eureka Springs, but I missed the spirited, twisty driving. Third, we did not drive or see the parade through town because we stood on the wrong street after taking too long for lunch. Fourth, we didn’t have a bucket and other essential cleaning supplies when Pat decided last-minute to enter the car show. And fifth, we drove up through Tulsa on a Wednesday to dine at a favorite Irish pub resulting in driving in the dark (much faster than I would like) to stay ahead of a storm. There are deer up there, people! The Best Western Inn of the Ozarks and Convention Center hosts the event providing accommodations for those who book up to a year in advance. Check-in and most events begin at the convention center located at the back of the property. As early as 5:00 pm Wednesday, one may pick up any pre-ordered merchandise with a driver packet containing dining wristbands, tour schedules, and other helpful info. All drives depart from here after brief driver meetings. There is a merchandise room for those who wish to purchase available wearables and mementos. Public restrooms and a hospitality room are also located here. The large