BUG-A-PALÜZA 2023

BIG FUN IN THE SOUTHEAST • BY ADAM SIMPSON

VWenthusiasts in the southeast look forward to April for good reason: Bug-a-Paluza in East Ridge, Tennessee. What began in 1999 as a small gathering of Chattanooga-area enthusiasts organized by the Scenic City Volks Folks has evolved into one of the region’s largest events. Held at Camp Jordan, the show spans both Saturday and Sunday with many attendees arriving Friday to camp on the grounds. Preregistration is a must — the 2023 event sold out months in advance.

Unpredictable weather is always a concern for the southern Spring, and Mother Nature has thrown some crazy weather at past events. Humid heat, bitter cold, rain, and even snow isn’t out of the question. A threat of rain and storms loomed in the forecast the week prior. However, on Saturday morning, the sun was out in full force providing summer-like temperatures, perfect for spending a day outside at a VW show.

As the show kicked off, the sun shone on an eclectic group of eye-catching rides such as Ed Beard’s ’51 Beetle, winner of the Oldest VW in Attendance award. While Brasilias have become more common stateside in recent years, it’s hard to miss Francisco Hernandez’s bright green ragtop slammed on polished Porsche phone dials. If your tastes sway toward water pumpers, there was a plethora of eye candy in that department as well. Some of the standouts were a group of very clean second-gen Sciroccos, a TDI-swapped Rabbit truck, a Mexican-spec Caribe coupe, and a Mk1 Jetta.

Bug-a-Palüza brings in folks from all over the southeast, and even some from much farther away: It was hard to miss the VW Vocho Club of Chicago with their grill made from a Beetle rear end and the front clip from a Bay Bus. (And if you didn’t see it, you could definitely smell what they were cooking. It’d make you hungry every time you walked by.)

Restoration shops like Metalmorphosis of Hazel Green, Alabama, had examples of their work on display to entice potential customers. Cars they built took home four awards. The best paint winner, a Beetle named Rose, was full of so many intricate details so that you could look at the car ten times and find some new touch every time.

Of course, no show is complete without a swap meet and of course, Bug-a-Palüza had that, too. Rare used and NOS parts, the new parts you need to make it home, original literature, hand-crafted trinkets, toys, and maybe even a purse with Buses to take home to your niece: It was all there for the taking. Rounding out Saturday’s events were fun activities such as the Low Car Limbo and stereo and exhaust soundoffs.

The threat of rain scared away many of Sunday’s participants as the number of cars on the grounds dwindled significantly from the previous days. But aside from a sudden yet brief burst of wind and rain, the day shaped up to be an enjoyably slow-paced way to wrap up the weekend’s activities. As many were loading up their cars and wares for the trip home, the two major raffle items were given to their lucky winners, with a narrowed beam going to David Copeland and a fresh IRS trans to T. Houghton. Following this and the 50/50 drawing, the remaining crowd gathered for the award ceremony, wrapping up yet another successful, fun-filled Bug-a-Palüza event. 2024 will bring another one you won’t want to miss.

Waterpumpers,

The deep red paint and suicide doors made this Beetle a standout among a crowd

When Ed rallies the troops, this is what happens! Fifty Volkswagens of every shape and color showed up to hang out in Gadsden, Alabama.