2023 marks the 31st year of Volkswagen Weekend in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
During the weekend of August 25, 26, 27, 2023 the VWs strut their stuff down the ES runway. This event brings full-blown joy to all ages. Local tween Zoey loves cars and this VW event always lights her up with joy!
Get all the event details here on the Facebook Page: Eureka Springs VW-Show.
In 2022, for the 30-Year Celebration, the crowds truly showed out for a blast of a time experiencing and observing the VWs in nearly every corner of town. The biggest highlight of the weekend happens on Saturday at 3:00pm - this is the Annual Parade of V-Dubs right down Eureka Springs' Main and Center Streets.
Let's face it, there are so few cars out there with the kind of personality that exudes from a VW. Every model has a unique personality. Of course, add to that the fact that most of the owners personify them with lashes and eye-pupils and other human qualities because they are so in love with them and want to show them off to the world. It's almost akin to people dressing up their pets to show them off, too.
Beetle's, busses and bajas are plumpin' up those lashes and getting ready for their close-ups! It's time to make love to the lens!
According to www.vw.com, the history of the Volkswagen brand began with the “Käfer”; development work on this Nazi prestige project began in 1934. On May 28, 1937, the “Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschen Volkswagens mbH“ (Company for the Preparation of the German Volkswagen Ltd.) was formally established. The name was changed to “Volkswagenwerk GmbH” in 1938, and the company built its main plant in what has become Wolfsburg. However, the outbreak of war and integration in the arms industry prevented mass production of the Volkswagen (“people’s car”) – instead, military vehicles and other armaments were produced using forced labor.
After the war, the British instructed Volkswagen to build the Volkswagen saloon at the end of 1945. With the Type 1 (Käfer) model, and the Type 2 (Transporter) model added in 1950, Volkswagen became a symbol of Germany’s economic miracle, above all as a result of the strong export orientation on the part of the company converted into a joint stock corporation in 1960. Innovative and flexible manufacturing systems made an appearance in the 1970s and led to the birth of a new generation of Volkswagens with the Passat, Scirocco, Golf and Polo models. Growth was boosted in the 1980s through advances in vehicle technology, flexible production, and forward-looking international cooperation.
Volkswagen continues to evolve as one of the world’s most successful volume car manufacturers, and today offers cutting-edge solutions for future issues such as e-mobility and digitalization.
As many people know, although our little mountain town is known today for our incredible architecture, arts/events, history, antiques & shopping, as well as the great outdoors, the original draw was simply - natural spring water. I wonder what those early Native American tribes would think today if they moved through a time-machine to see ES in the 'here and now' and to experience the way life continues to be celebrated by Eurekans.
It is no secret that it only takes one visit to Eureka Springs to feel that hard-to-explain, magical tug on your soul - connecting you, forever to this corner of the world and joyful events like Annual VW Weekend play a big part to strengthen that tug.
Nowadays, it remains to be said that the rejuvenating spring waters that continue to flow below the downtown Historic District of Eureka Springs and the surrounding Historic Loop continue to emit these mystical, magical energies that ground you and connect you.
There's something about this place and the VWs discovered it. "Joy!"
VWs and Eureka Springs will forever have that common connection.
Experience your joy - visit Eureka Springs, Arkansas.❤️