The classic VW aftermarket parts and accessories company knows that many enthusiasts are fans of the Volkswagen brand as a whole. Having both air-cooled and water-cooled Volkswagen generations present will allow the entire VW hobby to come together for one big celebration. Many guests have a classic VW as well as a new VW and are encouraged to bring both cars to park together on the show field.

“The Volkswagen culture has grown beyond the Beetle and Bus to include all generations,” said Mike Yager, founder and Chief Cheerleader of Mid America Motorworks. “I’m looking forward to a great turnout of Water-Cooled VWs this year, representing the future of the hobby and the VW.”

All registered guests, whether air-cooled or water-cooled, will receive the same benefits of registration including a parking pass for the weekend, concert tickets, an event t-shirt, goodie bag, discounts on Mid America Motorworks merchandise and more. Water-cooled Volkswagens will also be included in the Celebrity Choice Judging and Low-Speed Slaloms under their own competition class.

In addition to sponsoring the Water-Cooled Show Field, O’Brien Volkswagen of Urbana will have a presence on-site to answer questions and discuss the new VW models. They are bringing along a Beetle Sedan and Convertible, EOS Convertible, Passat Diesel, Jetta Diesel and GTI/Golf R that will be available to test drive throughout the weekend. Joe Ward, VW corporate sales expert and product trainer, is presenting a seminar geared toward water-cooled Volkswagens.

"O'Brien Volkswagen of Urbana is thrilled to be a partner of Funfest for Air-Cooled VW,” said Jim Turner, President of O'Brien Auto Park of Urbana. “This event is a great way to celebrate the unsurpassed brand loyalty of Volkswagen, and gives aficionados a unique opportunity to see firsthand how far VW has come since the early Beetle days, to the current full spectrum of products they now offer in the United States. Volkswagen is projected to double their sales in the next 4 years in the US. It's a great time for VW and we are excited to be a part of an event that celebrates the brand, its history, and its ongoing success."

Included in the display will be a Kübelwagen, Schwimmwagen and KdF-Wagen. All three of these vehicles were produced by VW and used by the German military during WWII. The Volkswagen Kübelwagen, literally translated as “tub truck,” for its resemblance to a metal bathtub on wheels, was based heavily on Ferdinand Porsche’s early Beetle designs and became a light military vehicle known internally as the Type 82. The VW Thing sold in the 1970s and used by many European countries as a responder and military vehicle was clearly designed along the simple lines of the Kubelwagen. 50,435 Kubels were produced. It is estimated that there are 150 in the United States and approximately 1,000 worldwide.

The Volkswagen Type 166 Schwimmwagen is an amphibious four-wheel drive off-road vehicle used extensively during the war with a unitized bodytub structure for smooth movement through the water. The VW Type 166 is the most numerous mass-produced amphibious car in history. 15,584 “Schwimms” were produced. There are approximately 100 on the Schwimmwagen registry including 1 in New Zealand and another in Japan.

The KdF-Wagen was set up by Hitler’s “Strength through Joy” organization as an affordable car for the people. Due to the shift to wartime production, no consumers ever received a KdF-Wagen; only a few military personnel had possession of the vehicle. After WWII, the vehicles were ordered destroyed which makes them extremely rare. This vehicle was the closest predecessor of what we now know as the Volkswagen Beetle. There are just 50 KdF-Wagens on the register with 5 of them listed under the Dr. Mac Jones collection. Click here for more information.

Ristau will be screening “The Bus” during this year's Funfest for Air-Cooled VW. To add more excitement to the visit, Ristau has just announced that, with the overwhelming response and following of “The Bus,” he will produce a sequel documentary about the Volkswagen Beetle that he aims to begin filming at Funfest for Air-Cooled VW 2013. All VW enthusiast’s and Volkswagens present at the event will have the opportunity to be featured in the film.

"I'm thrilled to be taking part in Funfest for Air-Cooled VW this year and really look forward to begin filming our new VW Beetle documentary,” said Ristau. “I can't think of a better event or group of people to kick start the film with.”

Ristau grew up around his parents buses and some of his first memories are traveling and camping with the family in the bus. He was surprised to find out that there was not a comprehensive film about the vehicle and his career as a filmmaker and producer allowed him to combine his two passions which led to the creation of the movie.

“The Bus” playfully explores how a post-WWII German utility vehicle evolved into a cultural icon that represents freedom and the open road. The film begins in Germany with the vehicle’s creation and takes you on an adventure from Wolfsburg to Hollywood introducing people from all walks of life who share their stories and passion for the Volkswagen Bus. The film premiered in April 2012 at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in Raleigh, NC. In July 2012, the Documentary Channel broadcasted the film and it has been screened at festivals and events on 6 continents. “The Bus” has also been sold worldwide in the US, Canada, Germany, UK, Belgium, France, Australia and Brazil.

The Return got its start back 1995 when four friends got together to play their favorite Beatles songs for what they thought would be a onetime show. That show, which was very well received, turned into a regular gig and the group has polished up their act for the highest level of authenticity. Richard Stelling as John, Shane Landers as Paul, Michael Fulop as George and Adam Thurston as Ringo capture the essence of the Beatles themselves with a near-perfect reproduction of the live Beatles concert, down to John Lennon’s on-stage gum chewing and using exact replicas of instruments and gear originally used.

“With this year’s theme of Magical Mystery Funfest, having The Return as our Saturday entertainment just makes sense. I’m thrilled to welcome one of the most authentic, entertaining and exciting Beatles tribute bands to Effingham and to Funfest,” said Mike Yager, Chief Cheerleader and Founder of Mid America Motorworks.

In The Return’s career, they have shared the stage with legendary acts such as Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Monkees, Peter Noone, Chubby Checker, Jerry Lewis & The Playboys and 38 Special. The band also headlined the Path Rocks 2009 Paul McCartney pre-party concert and the 40th anniversary celebration of the Beatles’ visit to Tokyo, and has been featured nationally on CNN, TBS and VH1.

The Return’s first set will consist of black suits similar to those worn on the Ed Sullivan show on Feb. 9, 1964 and include a mixture of #1 hits consisting of I Want to Hold Your Hand, A Hard Day’s Night and Day Tripper. The second set will switch over to Sgt. Peppers suits as seen on the album cover for Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and include various #1 hits like Hello Goodbye, Revolution and Hey Jude

The concert begins at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 1 on the 14,000 seat amphitheater located on Mid America Motorworks’ corporate campus in Effingham, Ill. All registered Funfest attendees have automatic admission to the concert.

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