Beetles land lakeside for wonderful VW weekend
Great weekend for the Dubs
BY KIM LANGEN
Excellent weather conditions suited last weekend’s gathering of bugs and beetles at the local beach.
Ryan Smith, organizer of the annual Dubs at the Lake event, said he was delighted with both the numbers of Volkswagen enthusiasts who rolled into town, and the sunshine that accompanied them.
“We had 75 vehicles,” said Ryan. “That’s fantastic. I couldn’t ask for anything better. We had great weather, and a great turnout. People came from Dryden and Minnesota, and from Moose Jaw and Bismarck.”
Two large banana boxes were filled with donations for the local food bank during the three-day party, he said.
And a local winner, Kristen Ferris, picked up the winning raffle ticket in the 50:50 draw, and collected prize money of around $300.
The other half will go to the Shamrock Drive-In to help with the owner’s efforts to rebuild their 1950s theatre screen, which was systematically destroyed over the past few years first by tornado winds, and later by lightning and fire, said Smith.
And Smith had a little trouble of his own during the popular Dubs at the Lake parade cruise around the town, which drew scores of sidewalk watchers.
“My bus died at the end of the cruise,” he said. “We were just about back at the bridge over the lake, and I managed to get it to the beach. ‘The Toon,’ my yellow VW bus, is now in hospital at home, waiting for a diagnosis. But the parade itself was great. It’s fun, and I get a lot of positive feedback about the cruise. I couldn’t believe how many people were lined up around town to see the Volkswagens go by.”
Saturday showtime…
Cruise around Killarney…
Dubs at the Lake goes this weekend
From The Killarney Guide: August 18, 2017
BY KIM LANGEN
Retro moments have been happening all week for locals as Volkswagens of many shapes and sizes began migrating into the area.
That’s because this weekend is the annual Dubs at the Lake event, drawing Volkswagen enthusiasts from all directions, and even across the border.
“Last year we had 73 vehicles,” said organizer of the popular event, Ryan Smith. “We started out four years ago, with 50 Volkswagens, and it’s been going up every summer. We have no idea what to expect this year.”
What he does promise, however, is lots of fun, and a chance to enjoy a blast from the past.
“It’s free to the public, and I encourage everyone to come down to the beach at Erin Park and enjoy the weekend,” said Smith. “If you want to register your vehicle for the car show on Saturday, that starts at 9 a.m., and the show runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. It’s $15 to register, and you get a dash plaque for your car. Then at 4 p.m. we have a Cruise – that’s a parade around the town. We leave the beach at 4 p.m., and cruise around the lake, and come back through Main Street and back to the beach. It takes about 20 minutes.”
The event also includes a ‘freebie’ Swap Meet, where enthusiasts can buy and sell their own items.
Plus there are a couple of top raffle prizes to be won, which Smith describes as unique vintage VW items.
And two local groups will benefit from the event, including the Killarney Food Bank and the Shamrock Drive-In Theatre.
“This year we are supporting the Food Bank, and are asking our patrons to bring a tin of food,” said Smith. “There will be tubs or bins at the registration tent at the car show to make a donation. Plus we are having a 50:50 draw, and the money we raise with that will go to the Shamrock Drive-In to help them with rebuilding efforts with their screen.”
To make more space, campsites have already been set aside just across Water Street for Volkswagen lovers.
“The Emerald Isle Motel next door is full, so we have taken over the overflow camping at the Ag Grounds campground, at the show ring,” said Smith. “People can go there if they need the camping space.”
For more information about Dubs at the Lake, you can contact Ryan Smith at 204-523-2060.
BUGS AT THE BEACH – Volkswagens are already assembling in town – including this beautiful line-up of local VW Beetles and their proud owners – in readiness for the annual Dubs at the Lake event at Erin Park this Saturday, August 19. From left: Tanis Harper, Kent Ferris, Ryan Smith, and Elmer Mauws stand beside their ’61, ’64, ’64, and ’59 Beetles in the beach parking lot.