by MATTHEW NASH

Sequim Gazette

From sporty to sleek to casual camper to off-the-wall, the fifth North Olympic Volks Fair on Aug. 28 brought an array of Volkswagen owners and their vehicles to 7 Cedars Casino.

David Louden, president of the Strait Air Volksgruppe, said the car show and swap meet was the biggest yet with more than 50 vehicles participating.

He said Volkswagen’s appeal to collectors remains their simplicity and that they are inexpensive to operate. His wife, Francie Louden, agreed and added “cute.”

High gas mileage remains the vehicle’s big draw, too, they said.

“It’s more smiles per miles,” Dave Louden joked.

Paul Meyer of Diamond Point said there are a lot of multiple bug owners. He’s on his third Beetle and pulls one behind his motor home on trips.

Stevie Archer of Gorst said she’s owned her 1973 Super Beetle for three years and built it herself. She fell in love with Volkswagen Beetles when her dad brought one home. Archer has gone on to own five in her lifetime.

Strait Air Volksgruppe is open to all Volkswagen owners and enthusiasts living along the Strait of Juan de Fuca and on the North Olympic Peninsula. The group consists of 32 members from Bremerton to Clallam Bay. Their sixth show is planned for three days at Fort Worden in Port Townsend. The club meets at noon the first Sunday of each month at Joshua’s in Port Angeles. For more information, contact the group at straitairvolksgruppe@earthlink.net or call 452-2550, 452-5803 or 477-5556.