Friday night before the Funfest, the city of Effingham hosted a welcome event downtown with live music, food and drink vendors, and, of course, Volkswagen enthusiasts. Mid America Motorworks has the coolest stuff! How about this extremely rare ’47 Plattenwagen? Only three are known to exist.
MID AMERICA MOTORWORKS
VW FUNFEST 2023 One weekend yields a lifetime of memories! • Courtesy of Mid America Motorworks
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ffingham, Illinois became a hub of VW enthusiasts on June 16 and 17 as Mid America Motorworks hosted Funfest for Air-Cooled VW 2023. Volkswagen lovers from around the globe gathered to celebrate the iconic air-cooled VW. The festival grounds on Mid America Motorworks’ corporate campus welcomed VWs of all shapes and sizes, from Beetle to Bus and everything in between. Passionate owners were more than eager to share stories, swap tips, and display their prized possessions. The air was electric with the sound of engines and the friendly banter of like-minded enthusiasts. Funfest offered activities to keep attendees entertained throughout the weekend, including Volkswagen history trivia, a stein hoist competition, caricatures by artist Dan Wild, an exhaust sound-off competition, and more. The swap meet provided a treasure trove of memorabilia, spare parts, and collectibles. Family fun was in full swing, with activities for the kiddos including a
50 VW TRENDS • SUMMER ’23
towering inflatable slide, bounce house, obstacle course, T-shirt tie dyeing, a sack race, and more. Food trucks and vendors served barbecue, hot dogs, donuts, shaved ice, and more. The entertainment featured a live DJ, VW-themed movies, informative seminars, and Q&A sessions with industry experts including Darby Milnor (The VW Doctor) from Midwest Autosavers, Erik Elmauer of the Herbie the Love Bug Collectables Museum, and Bill Hickmott of B&D Custom Performance. On Friday evening, hundreds of VW owners lined up to take part in the road tour that wound through the beautiful countryside and around scenic Lake Sara before cruising into downtown Effingham. After the VWs rolled in, they were greeted by Mike Yager, founder and chief cheerleader of Mid America Motorworks, along with crowds of local spectators. All weekend, VW owners were able to kick back, relax, and enjoy each other’s company in the warm June sun. The
No shortage of food at the Funfest! Lots to see, do, and eat! There were food trucks, BBQ, hot dogs, donuts, shaved ice, and more.
Volksmart shopping area buzzed with attendees lining up to receive event goodie bags and tickets to win incredible prizes donated by EMPI and Dan’s Dune Buggies. Others shopped event deals on VW merchandise and parts. Inside Volksmart, key pieces of Mid America Motorworks’ MY Garage Museum were on display, including one of the original Herbies from the 2005 film Herbie: Fully Loaded. Mid America Motorworks also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the New Beetle, a modern-day water-cooled classic that captured hearts with its charming design and irresistible personality. Funfest for Air-Cooled VW 2023 captured the hearts of vintage Volkswagen enthusiasts and left them yearning for more. From the vibrant display of restored and custom vehicles to the road activities and competitions, live entertainment and seminars, mouthwatering cuisine and treats, and memorable road tour and parade, Funfest created memories that will be cherished for years to come.
