Volks Folks
By Rebecca W. Miller
Community News Writer
Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Brian Dempsey, president of the Scenic City Volks Folks, can be found the first Friday of every month crusing with club members into Sonic Drive-In on East Brainerd Road at 7 p.m.

Mr. Dempsey has been a member of the local Volkswagen fan club for five of the 11 years since the club was established.

"I kind of slowly got into it," Mr. Dempsey said. "I participate more now than I did at first. I'm not sure when they began drive-ins regularly, but they have been going on since I joined the club."

The monthly meetings of the Volkswagen enthusiasts are held the third Monday of each month at China Moon in the Eastgate Mall town center. Over sweet and sour chicken and sushi, the club members see to business, accept new members, organize cruise-ins and plan for their annual fund-raiser, Bugapalooza.

"We're probably the second largest show in the Southeast as far as VW-only car shows go," Mr. Dempsey said.

For the club members the spring car show is a chance to draw out other Volkswagen fans from all around Chattanooga. Over the past two years, Bugapalooza has hosted 250 vehicles at each event and has raised a total of $17,000 for the Ronald McDonald House.

With Bugapalooza still months away, the Volks Folks concentrate on their own vehicles, tinkering with engines and sprucing up older models.

"One member took two Vanagons and welded them together to make a stretch Vanagon," Mr. Dempsey said.

"We don't always strive to have the most pristine vehicle. We just love to have a Volkswagen."

For their monthly meetings at China Moon and the cruise-ins at Sonic, the Volks Folks look for others who share their enthusiasm.

"We all just kind of show up at the Sonic," Mr. Dempsey said. "We usually bring our chairs, sit around the cars, enjoy food from Sonic and chat."

Each cruise-in might attract up to 15 new and old Volkswagens to the Sonic parking lot. Mr. Dempsey likes to see kids get excited about the VW bugs and his own 1967 blue and white bus. He often answers questions for other Sonic customers about their cars and their clubs.

"We welcome anyone, with or without a VW," Mr. Dempsey said. "As long as you're a VW enthusiast you're welcome."

Until November, the Volks Folks can be found at the Sonic before being forced to give up their cruise-in in lieu of the cold weather. Until then, Mr. Dempsey plans to be out in his van, cruising in a car he loves with club members who share his passion.