The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local event overrun with ‘Bugs’

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The 32nd annual Florida Bug Jam lived up to its name, attracting Volkswagen enthusiasts eager to show off their Bugs, to swap parts and to enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded people.

This beautiful 1962 Volkswagen Bug — complete with matching luggage — belongs to Jose m.Reyes Nieve. It was among the pristine, interesting and unusual VWs on display at the 32nd annual Florida Bug Jam, held Nov. 7 and Nov. 8, at the Pasco County Fairgrounds in Dade City. (Randy Underhill)

The partly sunny, breezy weekend made the weather ideal for huge crowds on both days of the event.

The Jam is a magnet for people across the country to converge on the Pasco County Fairgrounds, in Dade City, to show off their vintage Volkswagen Bugs and VW vans of yesteryear.

Besides the classic Bugs and vans, there were VW dune buggies, Baja Bugs, and the “Thing” on display at the car show on Nov. 8.

Randy Yoho, of Kry Inc., was the show’s promoter.

On Nov. 7, the first day of the two-day event, there was a poker run, a parade to downtown Dade City, an off-road course, a pre-jam party and a concert.

The next day’s events included a car show and swap meet.

Campsites were available, and event-goers could grab a bite to eat and do some shopping, too.

By Randy Underhill

Published November 11, 2020

Alice Encio, of Tampa, adjusts her props that are part of her Alice in Wonderland theme in her 1967 Volkswagen at the Florida Bug Jam car show on Nov. 8, at the Pasco County Fairgrounds, at 36722 State Road 52 in Dade City.
Owner Jack Cook, of Brooksville, proudly sits near his 1972 Ford Grabber blue-colored VW Karmann Ghia at the 32nd annual Florida Bug Jam, on Nov. 7, inside the Pasco County Fairgrounds. It took Cook a year to build the car, which placed third for two years in a row in the competition.
Dave MacDougall, of Fort Lauderdale, sits near his sage green 1976 Volkswagen van, with its matching trailer. He and his son, who did not make it to the Bug Jam, have traveled to all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums in four seasons starting in 2015.
Fifteen-year-old Conner Sorenson, left, of Stuart, stands with his dad, Justin Sorenson, in front of the family’s 1967 Volkswagen bug on Nov. 7 at the Bug Jam.
The 32nd annual Bug Jam enjoyed good weather and attracted a big crowd of Volkswagen enthusiasts during the two-day event at the Pasco County Fairgrounds.

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