Episode 5 - Revving Up the VW Passion: Inside Florida Bug Jam

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Music.

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Dub Life Diaries, the podcast where passion meets the open road.

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I'm Joe Person, your host, and also a lifelong dubber.

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Buckle up, because this ride is just beginning.

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This podcast is sponsored by Volksmania Magazine. Good times,

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great cars, awesome Volksmaniacs.

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Visit volksmania.com to learn more about this class-leading VW magazine.

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All right, all right. Welcome back to Dub Life Diaries, the podcast where we

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dive deep into the stories, the culture, and the passion behind the Volkswagen community.

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And today, oh man, today is going to be a big one.

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If you're into VWs, if you've ever cruised in a classic Beetle or bus,

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if you've ever camped out, if you've really just admired the insane builds that

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roll into car shows that we're all familiar with, then you already know that

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the mecca event of air-cooled madness is...

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Florida Bug Jam. And guess what? I have got the man himself, Mr.

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Randy Yoho, in the house. Not only is he the owner and promoter of the largest

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VW show in the Southeast, but this guy is also full of stories.

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From the beginning to how it grew into a massive must-attend event,

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pulling over 12,000 spectators last year and more than 800 VWs register,

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Randy is not just an event promoter.

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He's a motorsports legend. He's been in the game for decades,

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running Dade City Motocross, building up insane events, and keeping the culture alive.

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And today, we are diving into the real history of Bug Jam, the wild moments,

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the behind-the-scenes madness, and where it is all headed next.

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So grab a cold one, kick back, and let's get into it.

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Randy, yo-ho, welcome to the show, my brother. Thanks for having me on.

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It's exciting. Yeah, thank you. Thank you so much. Now, listen,

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I appreciate the willingness, but just so the listeners know,

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I'll have everybody know.

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Randy was not hard to get in touch with. I called him, he answered,

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and he said he would love to do this for the Volkswagen community.

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So very approachable, super cool guy, just so everybody knows.

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All right, buddy, let's dive right in.

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Yeah, and I think people need to know, you know, that phone number on the website

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actually rings on my cell phone. So we do answer a lot of questions.

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And we saw people that didn't pick up their trophies from Bug Jam calling,

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hey, can you get my trophy?

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Which I absolutely hate, but we wish they would pick them up.

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But we understand a lot of them have to get out of there. Then they forget and they call us.

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And so we try to get those out to them because it means a lot to them.

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Yeah, but the point was your phone number on the website, right?

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You click on contact and it is, it's you and it's your cell.

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And like I said, you were happy, you know, to do this very approachable.

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So again, thank you so much. So let's take it back.

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How did all this begin for you? For me, so we've been about 10 years,

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I think now is your 10th or 11th year.

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So the fair association was running it. They had two or three other promoters

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before that and keeps getting passed down, you know, to the next guy.

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They run out of like the fairgrounds. You just couldn't get enough personnel to run it.

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And it got to be more they could handle. And it was an all volunteer group.

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And when they had it, it was just one day.

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So I think by the time you, from what I've seen, you know, cause I live in the

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area, the Volkswagens were backed up all the way to the interstate because they

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came right down 52 and those air cooled engines were overheated.

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And I think the drivers got overheated waiting in line. And so even what the

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way we do it, let them in on Friday a little early, we kind of pre-stage them in the field.

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And because of the package, you know, they don't understand what it takes to

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get the personnel there to get the packets to them.

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But anyway, so we, we at the fairgrounds was going to close bug jam,

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you know, and they came to me because I promote events and said,

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Hey, can you do this? Or would you be interested?

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And I said, let me look. So I went to the bug jam and watched it.

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And I asked him if I could have full control if I took it over,

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because I changed a lot of things.

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So, so my thought, you know, I hate to go on to take something over that changed it totally.

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You know, I think to survive as the numbers were going down,

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I think to survive, we had to change a lot of things.

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And I think bringing it to a two, three day show, whatever you want to call

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it, you know, as we, the camping was a big part of it.

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You know bringing the concerts and closing down morning side the road along side.

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You know the racetrack there to be able

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to bring the Volkswagen's in the back side so we don't

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have all that overheating and we got an a team as far as people working for

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us most of them are business owners that are coming over just to help me out

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they kind of got liking the bug jam it's from all the events we do it and I'm

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not kidding it's probably one of our favorites as far as our personnel,

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they enjoy it, you know, the people, and I've met a lot of friends, you know,

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I never started, I never even knew what a Volkswagen was, you know,

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I seem good out of road, but, uh, so she learned a lot.

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So you said it, it almost derailed, you know, fairgrounds was going to shut up.

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Then, you know, you got involved, you started making some changes.

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They were obviously good ones, but when did you realize like,

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damn, this thing's blowing up?

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Like, you know, when did you start to realize, wow, like this thing is really

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starting to become, you know, super successful. It took a couple of years.

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At first, you know, people were very, they weren't on board with this.

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You know, some non-Volkswagen guys coming in, he's going to run the bud jam, he's going to run it.

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So luckily we got Robbie Johnson and, you know, a lot of the guys that were

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local people that had Volkswagen shops and, you know,

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Larry Olson helped us a bunch and I forget all

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the names there was a bunch of people that helped us kind of

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get up to speed and and we listened to the people you

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know like hey what what's the problems that they before I

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took it over I walked around and talked to people you know and that

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was clutch yeah and it was

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it was like okay these are their problems because a lot of

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things people don't think about they're going well we need to

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park them in class you know that well you got clubs coming

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in and they got buses and bugs and that's not

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going to work you can't separate your friends i think bug

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jam has got to be more the friends hanging out

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so what i thought is it's

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a lot more inconvenienced for us to be able to judge when they're all spread

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all over the fairgrounds but we've kind of figured out a program and i won't

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say that the first few years were a little shaky and we learned we we hired

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judges that were clubs and unfortunately their whole club won.

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We learned real quick you know like well that's not gonna work so it's been

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a work in progress you know but the community's been very good to me and i think

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we're evolving better and better you know did you ever did you ever think it

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was going to grow to 12 000 plus no i didn't think that you Now,

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well, I was hoping it would, but you know,

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we, we put a lot into truck, turn it into a two day show.

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The first day we opened on Saturday, uh, there was hardly anybody there.

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Then we come up with the idea, Hey, let's let them pre park their cars.

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So that way, if you're really serious about this, you get there a day early,

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you get a good parking spot.

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You're in a good mood, you know, instead of coming in there that one day and

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getting a bad parking spot.

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So the people are serious. They get there early. the clubs get

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there early and get them a large area that they and

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they've been really really good about not taking

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up too much room you know because you

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know we need room we're out of room we're busting at the seams yeah at the fairgrounds

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so you know and i think now that we've been there 10 years i think our customers

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know what we expect and you know we we try to make sure that We do a good job,

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you know? Well, you guys do.

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And with an event this big, you know, for sure, some crazy stuff has to go down,

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you know, every now and then.

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What's, what's one of the wildest things that you've seen in your 10 years of hunting?

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Them doom buggy brothers, or I don't know if you know who these guys are.

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I think they do a car show up in the panhandle or whatever, but they're a handful

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in the beginning, but it actually settled.

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I don't think that they're getting older now or whatever, but you know,

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we had the night parades that we've now with insurance. and stuff like that. We can't do that.

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They would drive through the whole facility and it got to be really big and,

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They got to party a little bit too hard, you know, so we had to fill that in a little bit.

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You know, we wanted everybody to have fun, but we have to be safe and respect the fairgrounds.

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So there's this happy medium that we have to do this balance, you know? Yeah.

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That's kind of it. It's been pretty uneventful. We got good customers.

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You know, they come to themselves. They do their little thing.

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We don't have trouble, you know? you ever had any close calls

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any any any any disasters even natural ones

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like you know weather or anything last minute chaos ever in

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the last almost ruin an event for you some hurricanes

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have come in and kind of you know weather will ruin our show basically you know

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sure so luckily you know the coins that we give out for pre-entry and stuff

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like that that's went over really really well commemorative coins people have

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collected them we started that when we brought in the event And, you know,

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the concerts are starting to finally take off a little bit.

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AdventHealth being one of our major sponsors allows us to be able to take five

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local charities in Dade City and give some money to from the event. Awesome. Like that.

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And we get the fairgrounds. We got a lot of different people we try to help out.

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And it's usually people that are involved with the Volkswagens and the Bug Jam,

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too. So it's good. Yeah, that's awesome. Awesome.

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Any celebrities or any big names that have rolled through over the years that are notable to you?

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You know, Hot VW was coming there for a while and I think it changed hands.

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Let's talk about maybe any other like insane builds.

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Like, do you recall any crazy builds? I know there's pretty crazy stuff coming through there.

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You know, some of the, you know, it's so hard on judging. So when you talk about

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this stuff, what we have, you know, I know Gary had those twin buses one year that won best to show.

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And I think the guy that won this year, I think he's won it before with different cars.

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So we got, we got such competition to win best of show, which to me,

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I think is the premium car or bus or whatever. But there's so many good builds

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and so many good builders that are coming there.

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You know, they're lined up the vendors. You know, we have a lot of those vendors.

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They're all there. Riverbanks Customs, all these different guys that build these incredible cars.

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Are there you know what i i think our judges try

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to that's so hard but you got some rat

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rods that are pretty good too you know so they can

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come up there with those hundred thousand dollar buses or two hundred thousand

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dollars whatever they're getting into these things now but yeah especially the

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super rare ones yes and it's it's neat to see who you know what they're bringing

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this year because now they call me hey rainy i'm bringing this but we've got

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a lot of collectors that i don't know their name and stuff like that.

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And they come in and say, Randy, I got these rare cars. Can I put them in the

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building? You know, I said, sure, let's, let's get it there.

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And we had one of the other buildings in the county made him take the air to,

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but we, we had that other building where we actually invited the cars.

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And there, when we first started, we had calendars and we would pick,

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we had a calendar contest and we would put the Volkswagen's in the calendar.

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And that was really cool. Let's talk about a couple of the activities that take

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place during the extended days, the two, three days.

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We've got the bug jam parade, you've got the poker run, and you've got bugs on the track.

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Let's touch on the parade first. What makes the parade so unique?

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Well, what they do, they shut down downtown and that's been a little bit of

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a problem because there's some state roads that we can't shut down.

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So we can set down the county roads, but we can't shut down like 301 going through there.

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So it adds a little bit of a problem. The police department has been really

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good working with us. They come out and escort us in.

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How many cars? A couple hundred cars usually do that parade and that maxes it out downtown.

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We usually have some entertainment, some music going downtown,

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and Defoe Brady's gives away some free beers for the first hundred cars in line.

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And so it's been good. The parade, the downtown parade works really good because

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people want to drive their cars, you know?

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Yeah, for sure. You know, when Poker Run.

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The poker run we do for the women's, we let them sponsor it.

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They actually do the poker run spots, you know, when you pick up your cards,

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they actually ban that themselves.

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But a really, really good cause for abused women. And they end up,

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we donate some money to them for doing the poker run.

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But that's became really a neat thing because we take, it's pretty scenic up

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there through the hills.

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People don't realize in Florida, we do have some hills. So we got some pretty

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scenic routes. We try to change it up every year, and then we give away like

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$500, and a lot of times the people donate it back to women's.

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So yeah, the sponsor for the Bug Jam is Sunrise of Pasco.

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It's a women's shelter, and a really good group.

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We've worked with them ever since I've been involved with the Bug Jam,

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and it's going to a great cause.

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Awesome, man. So let's talk about bugs on the track. I even knew of a couple

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of guys that were on the track this past year. But let, let,

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let me hear about this one.

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So, uh, we take the motocross track and we tame it down and try to get it to

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where, you know, because it's hard to turn.

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So we need longer radius turns, which we learned after the first year,

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you know, take out the jumps, you know, then we got some pretty sandy portions

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in the back that we have to route around.

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But that's been a big hit for the off-road guys because, you know,

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they don't get chances to do this very often.

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So, uh, so it's kind of totally different group. You know, you got the high

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dollar guys, you got the rat rod guys, you got the bunks on the track.

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They're all different, but they're all Volkswagen people.

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So we try to make sure that we take care of all of them the best we can,

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you know, because we need them all.

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Yeah. And you're right. It's like, whether it's a different avenue for which

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car or which, you know, if they're bus or beetle type guys or on road or off

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road or up high or down low, it's all the people.

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And that's what makes it, that's what makes this community so special.

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I'm going to ask you that though. So what is it do you think about air-cooled

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Volkswagens that just makes them so special?

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You know, I'm from, you know, I'm 66, so I'm coming from that 70s when you had

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points and that didn't work.

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And I like that myself, you know, like Volkswagens, you know,

00:15:26.620 --> 00:15:31.540
you better know how to work on it, you know, in order to keep them running.

00:15:31.780 --> 00:15:35.120
But I don't know, that's very attracting to me still, you know.

00:15:35.700 --> 00:15:40.280
I'm looking, I'm hoping to get a Baywind bus one day. I think it would be cool to have one.

00:15:40.800 --> 00:15:43.700
My biggest problem right now is just having a place to store it.

00:15:43.700 --> 00:15:49.020
But I would love to have that old painted up, you know, looks like it was an

00:15:49.020 --> 00:15:53.640
old work truck with bug jam on there, you know, it could happen one day.

00:15:54.100 --> 00:15:57.240
Yeah, good. So there's been a culture shift over the years.

00:15:57.420 --> 00:16:01.680
How do you think, in your opinion, you know, kind of almost an outsider's perspective,

00:16:01.680 --> 00:16:03.960
how has the scene really evolved?

00:16:04.180 --> 00:16:09.480
It's changing, you know, as I think on all this, because I've had vintage motorcycles

00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:13.260
and collections myself, you know, But let's say the people that drove those

00:16:13.260 --> 00:16:16.600
buses as teenagers, unfortunately, are dying off.

00:16:16.780 --> 00:16:22.260
So we do need, we're seeing a lot more young people in there coming back.

00:16:22.820 --> 00:16:26.600
Restoring these buses. I think it's a cool hobby for a lot of people.

00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:31.200
But it's definitely changing. I would say we're half Latins,

00:16:31.280 --> 00:16:34.480
at least. But they love them.

00:16:34.920 --> 00:16:38.440
We brought in that Latin band this year. and I

00:16:38.440 --> 00:16:41.220
was been trying to get it to happen for two or three years and

00:16:41.220 --> 00:16:44.760
it went over really really well I was really enjoying

00:16:44.760 --> 00:16:51.140
watching the party go on because they can those lambs can party now yeah that's

00:16:51.140 --> 00:16:56.240
awesome so I know you guys are active at least you are you know more recently

00:16:56.240 --> 00:17:01.040
on social media you know that's something kind of new too that's evolved over

00:17:01.040 --> 00:17:02.920
time you know we didn't have that, you know,

00:17:03.020 --> 00:17:05.640
back in the 90s and the turn of the millennium,

00:17:05.820 --> 00:17:11.400
even in all the way up through 2010 or so, there was really no social media.

00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:16.300
What's the role that social media has played in helping you guys grow, Bug Jam?

00:17:17.037 --> 00:17:22.057
Well, a big part of it, because now we can advertise stuff really quickly on all the events we did.

00:17:22.177 --> 00:17:25.277
You know, we can put on an event in a couple of weeks if we need to.

00:17:25.577 --> 00:17:29.277
And it's great to be able to talk to people through the social media, too.

00:17:29.657 --> 00:17:33.037
We have a full-time guy that does that for us. We kind of direct them,

00:17:33.177 --> 00:17:37.777
but he kind of keeps up with questions and what's going on and that kind of stuff.

00:17:37.797 --> 00:17:42.437
So we stay on top of what's actually happened. Because we do have a lot of special

00:17:42.437 --> 00:17:44.617
requests from people, you know, especially

00:17:44.617 --> 00:17:48.797
parking and special cars and collections they'd like to bring in.

00:17:48.937 --> 00:17:51.177
And, you know, they're concerned about these cars.

00:17:51.957 --> 00:17:56.257
Can we leave them overnight? Are they safe? You know, and knock on wood,

00:17:56.377 --> 00:17:59.397
we've just, it's just a good community. We don't have problems, you know.

00:18:00.117 --> 00:18:04.497
There's a community. We don't have problems. And the higher you get,

00:18:04.657 --> 00:18:09.617
you know, like closer to the top shelf of the community, the cooler they get.

00:18:10.657 --> 00:18:15.937
It's like, you know, they're just a bunch of dub people that end up with some of the rarest cars.

00:18:16.157 --> 00:18:20.897
And, you know, I certainly love seeing the ones that are kept inside and stuff when I come out.

00:18:21.497 --> 00:18:26.777
Today's generation of kids, or I can really just say today's generation,

00:18:26.877 --> 00:18:33.397
do you think they're as passionate about VWs as, you know, maybe our generation,

00:18:33.397 --> 00:18:34.837
my generation, your generation?

00:18:36.177 --> 00:18:40.537
I would hope so. I think, you know, because we were wondering like,

00:18:40.657 --> 00:18:45.617
hey, as these people are getting older and dying off, is the bug jam going to go away?

00:18:45.857 --> 00:18:48.077
But it seems to be getting bigger and bigger.

00:18:48.337 --> 00:18:50.597
So, you know. If that answer is yes, then.

00:18:50.977 --> 00:18:54.657
Yeah. And I think it is because we've got new kids getting involved,

00:18:54.717 --> 00:18:56.397
you know, with the car stuff.

00:18:56.857 --> 00:19:00.177
I certainly see it. I was going to let you answer, but I see it.

00:19:00.257 --> 00:19:05.017
I see the younger generation, even my own sons, teens.

00:19:05.737 --> 00:19:11.157
One of them is 15 Not quite driving yet But he's already talking about Well

00:19:11.157 --> 00:19:17.537
dad I'm driving that thing All over the place When I get my driver's license And I'm like okay,

00:19:18.666 --> 00:19:22.526
I mean, I want that desire, you know, and then I had an opportunity to take

00:19:22.526 --> 00:19:26.586
one of my sons, my last one that got his driver's license. He's 16 now.

00:19:26.926 --> 00:19:31.506
He was going to go test in my Carmen Ghia. My wife has a 71 and he was going

00:19:31.506 --> 00:19:34.566
to go take his driver's test in it. And he's like, yeah, I'll never forget that.

00:19:35.086 --> 00:19:39.666
Well, we got in it that day to go test in it. And one of the requirements is

00:19:39.666 --> 00:19:41.166
you have to have a horn that works.

00:19:42.326 --> 00:19:44.066
My horn didn't work that day.

00:19:46.286 --> 00:19:52.746
So he couldn't test in the Ghia. But yeah, he would remember that forever if

00:19:52.746 --> 00:19:55.526
he did that, you know, I know, I know. I tried. I tried.

00:19:55.646 --> 00:19:58.846
I tried. I got, well, I got one more to get his license, two more actually to

00:19:58.846 --> 00:20:02.586
get their licenses and I'll, I'll hopefully have them test in,

00:20:02.646 --> 00:20:03.886
in something cool like that.

00:20:04.266 --> 00:20:07.466
So yeah, I'm, I'm, I'm going to agree with you. I think they are,

00:20:07.626 --> 00:20:09.526
you know, it just as passionate.

00:20:09.686 --> 00:20:14.086
I feel like the more they get into it and the more customized and unique the

00:20:14.086 --> 00:20:18.466
culture continues to make it, I think the cooler it'll be over time as well.

00:20:18.666 --> 00:20:22.286
And you have those young kids that just like the classics. They don't want them

00:20:22.286 --> 00:20:27.986
lowered, you know, they don't, they just want them stock, you know, and I value that too.

00:20:28.386 --> 00:20:32.946
That's what I would have on, you know, if I had a bus, it was pretty much going to be stock, you know?

00:20:34.846 --> 00:20:40.826
Pretty much, you know, just like it came, you know, and yeah. Yeah. I'll get one soon.

00:20:41.866 --> 00:20:46.786
So what, what's the most dedicated VW owner story that you've heard?

00:20:47.446 --> 00:20:50.886
No this guy Jeff that comes out there I don't know I don't even know his last

00:20:50.886 --> 00:20:59.386
name he has the best time of anybody he builds some of the craziest brings in these crazy cars and uh,

00:20:59.996 --> 00:21:03.956
He just loves it, you know? I mean, it's fun because every year I'll go,

00:21:04.056 --> 00:21:05.816
Jeff, what are you bringing? What did you build?

00:21:06.096 --> 00:21:08.936
He'll call me during the year and say, you know, hey, I'm building this.

00:21:08.996 --> 00:21:09.816
What do you think, you know?

00:21:10.056 --> 00:21:13.436
Send me pictures of it, you know, because they love it, you know?

00:21:13.576 --> 00:21:17.456
It's all there is to it. You know, he just can't wait for Bug Jam, you know? Yeah.

00:21:18.536 --> 00:21:23.076
He gets to show off to 12,000 plus people. I mean, it's a pretty big platform.

00:21:23.996 --> 00:21:28.456
I don't think people understand. Man, like all my motorcycle races that we've

00:21:28.456 --> 00:21:31.656
done for 46 years, it's a lifestyle.

00:21:31.916 --> 00:21:36.036
I'm in second, third generation of people. Bug Jam around 37 years now, I think.

00:21:36.856 --> 00:21:40.616
There's people been doing this since the first one, you know,

00:21:40.736 --> 00:21:44.756
and it's part of their life, you know, and that's why it needs to continue,

00:21:44.756 --> 00:21:49.116
you know, and hopefully we'll be able to work with the fairgrounds and,

00:21:49.116 --> 00:21:51.336
and hopefully one day it gets so big.

00:21:51.456 --> 00:21:55.836
We don't know what to do with it, you know, but, uh, right now. My first one was 96.

00:21:56.136 --> 00:22:01.056
I still got pictures of it back when you actually had to have your pictures printed at Eckerd's.

00:22:02.516 --> 00:22:05.416
Well, one of the things I really liked when I first started,

00:22:05.556 --> 00:22:08.356
we had photographers that come up and we had a little display.

00:22:08.476 --> 00:22:10.736
And as the cars came in, they took their picture.

00:22:10.916 --> 00:22:14.756
But now everybody shoots them with their phone, so they don't even buy the picture

00:22:14.756 --> 00:22:16.796
so the guy doesn't come out and do it, you know?

00:22:17.196 --> 00:22:21.916
Oh, yeah. It's like a dying craft. but I still feel that it would,

00:22:21.916 --> 00:22:25.136
it would, it would, it would do well as long as presented properly.

00:22:25.296 --> 00:22:31.756
Cause like you said, nobody has the paper copy anymore. Everybody's got their phone and that's it.

00:22:32.096 --> 00:22:35.036
And that's what they do. They shoot the picture with their phone and that's,

00:22:35.136 --> 00:22:41.316
and that's, you know, I guess, I don't know if the key is just do digital prints

00:22:41.316 --> 00:22:44.996
or not even press, but just give the digital on a thumb drive or something.

00:22:45.236 --> 00:22:49.876
Right. Or just text it to them. Yeah, because I would like to see the photographer

00:22:49.876 --> 00:22:55.056
come back and have that Volkswagen pull up in front of that sign like we used

00:22:55.056 --> 00:22:57.896
to and shoot a picture of it. Hey, I was at Bug Jam.

00:22:58.456 --> 00:23:05.456
Yeah, heck yeah. It's like the red carpet picture for Hollywood for your car. Yeah, very cool.

00:23:06.076 --> 00:23:10.196
What's the farthest location you think that you recall that anybody's traveled

00:23:10.196 --> 00:23:12.596
to participate in Bug Jam? Yeah.

00:23:12.977 --> 00:23:16.197
I know they've come from Washington state. I know they've come from Maine.

00:23:16.397 --> 00:23:20.217
They drove the cars, you know, cause we give away the, an award for the furthest driven.

00:23:21.057 --> 00:23:24.317
So I have a bunch of guys, I think last year was Chicago. They drove,

00:23:24.517 --> 00:23:29.897
but we have people call me from Japan, different places that come on Dominican

00:23:29.897 --> 00:23:32.217
Republic. A lot of people come from Dominican.

00:23:33.297 --> 00:23:37.237
So, you know, they're coming from all over the world and, you know,

00:23:37.297 --> 00:23:39.097
I think we could do a little better job.

00:23:39.197 --> 00:23:42.237
I'm going to try this year to promote a little earlier.

00:23:42.977 --> 00:23:46.557
I even got to change the website. The dates for the new one's not even on there.

00:23:46.677 --> 00:23:51.217
So it's going to be November 7th, 8th and 9th. It's always the weekend before Veterans Day.

00:23:52.477 --> 00:23:54.737
That's an exclusive. You heard it here first.

00:23:56.637 --> 00:24:00.177
So we talk about this, but, you know, I guess there's no excuse,

00:24:00.337 --> 00:24:04.537
but, you know, we get busy and we're going from event to event.

00:24:04.697 --> 00:24:08.537
So it's, and I'm getting older and I don't know if I can keep up,

00:24:08.677 --> 00:24:13.617
but we'll see what happens. So if you had to describe the VW community,

00:24:13.617 --> 00:24:17.777
these awesome people in just three words, what would those three words be?

00:24:17.937 --> 00:24:21.017
We got kind and we got not some kind.

00:24:23.257 --> 00:24:25.957
We got everything. But...

00:24:26.427 --> 00:24:30.887
I think everybody's happy to be there. You know, everybody's in a good mood.

00:24:30.967 --> 00:24:32.507
You've got to realize they're on vacation.

00:24:32.967 --> 00:24:36.467
They're there once a year. They're there to have a good time.

00:24:36.627 --> 00:24:40.647
And, and what we've learned, you know, we got to realize that.

00:24:40.827 --> 00:24:44.547
So we're going to try to help them if we can, you know, within reason.

00:24:45.207 --> 00:24:47.967
I've had guys pulling buses up there and say, I'm parking here.

00:24:48.067 --> 00:24:52.647
I don't care what you say, you know, so that's, you know, we do have to deal

00:24:52.647 --> 00:24:53.807
with some stuff like this.

00:24:53.807 --> 00:24:57.827
And unfortunately, we have to remove a few that, that don't want to go by the

00:24:57.827 --> 00:25:00.967
rules because it's not fair to the person that got there early and got in his

00:25:00.967 --> 00:25:03.947
little white box and is within the guidelines.

00:25:04.207 --> 00:25:07.547
But majority of people are pretty much understand, you know,

00:25:07.627 --> 00:25:10.947
we got, you got to remember on the backside, we got the fire department to,

00:25:10.947 --> 00:25:16.067
to deal with fire lanes. We've got the county, they come through and inspect.

00:25:16.387 --> 00:25:20.347
And so we've got a lot going on behind the scenes with road closures,

00:25:20.667 --> 00:25:23.947
working with the police department, making sure everything's safe.

00:25:24.307 --> 00:25:28.827
Yeah, so there's a lot of spokes in this wheel that go down.

00:25:30.367 --> 00:25:34.907
But like I said, it's uneventful. There's not a lot of problems.

00:25:35.127 --> 00:25:40.967
You know, it's very easy for me to run this event compared to some of the other

00:25:40.967 --> 00:25:43.047
ones that I run throughout the years, you know.

00:25:43.207 --> 00:25:46.827
So how's a VW guy compared to a muscle car guy?

00:25:48.947 --> 00:25:53.247
Uh, I don't, those are tough questions because I'm, I don't,

00:25:53.347 --> 00:25:57.687
I'm not around the muscle car guys that much, you know, probably as,

00:25:57.827 --> 00:26:01.167
as far as myself growing up, I was always a motorcycle guy, you know,

00:26:01.287 --> 00:26:03.427
so let's change, let's change the question.

00:26:03.607 --> 00:26:05.927
How's the motorcycle guy? Motorcycle guy.

00:26:06.487 --> 00:26:09.747
Yeah. Um, they're probably pretty close to the same.

00:26:09.907 --> 00:26:13.107
I mean, they're, they're passionate about what they do. They love what they

00:26:13.107 --> 00:26:16.207
do and they want to do it no matter what, you know, they, you know,

00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:20.819
As a racer, we, we just happy to have a place to go race. And I,

00:26:20.819 --> 00:26:23.399
and I think the Volkswagen community is the same way, what I'm seeing.

00:26:24.359 --> 00:26:27.539
They're happy that, that we have this place for them to come.

00:26:28.279 --> 00:26:31.939
And, you know, we have an open policy with, with Bug Jam, you know,

00:26:32.019 --> 00:26:36.419
we promote other Volkswagen events, you know, we help them if they ask,

00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:40.799
you know, or, so it's not something that we go, wow, we, we don't want competition.

00:26:40.799 --> 00:26:43.879
I don't think it's competition. I think it's building the community.

00:26:44.299 --> 00:26:49.659
Yeah. And, and I think, you know, guys come in and, and want to hand out flyers.

00:26:49.819 --> 00:26:52.119
We let them do it. You know, we don't, we don't hold that back.

00:26:52.899 --> 00:26:57.979
It's a good thing. What, what are some of the biggest business challenges of

00:26:57.979 --> 00:27:00.099
running something that's this size?

00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:05.899
Permitting, getting it permitted, you know, making sure your leases are secure,

00:27:06.299 --> 00:27:10.259
you know, far enough out, you know, actually getting the awards,

00:27:10.259 --> 00:27:15.639
the t-shirts. We catch a little slack on the t-shirts last year, which is justified.

00:27:15.979 --> 00:27:19.859
So Ian, the guy that does the pencil art in the building, he's going to do the

00:27:19.859 --> 00:27:23.859
t-shirt design for us this year, which we pretty much had kind of the same designs,

00:27:23.859 --> 00:27:27.759
the same guy helping us every year. So they look kind of similar.

00:27:28.319 --> 00:27:34.239
And so we're going to fix that because we heard a few people comment about it.

00:27:34.319 --> 00:27:35.359
I go, yeah, no, you were right.

00:27:35.679 --> 00:27:38.959
So look for a different Bug Jam t-shirt this year. How's that?

00:27:39.299 --> 00:27:41.579
All right. All right. Yeah, that's awesome.

00:27:41.979 --> 00:27:46.359
Yeah, I don't know what Ian's going to come up with because he does those scenes, you know?

00:27:46.539 --> 00:27:51.499
So we're going to have to shoot a picture of the fairgrounds or the building. I don't know.

00:27:52.139 --> 00:27:55.019
You know, that's the artist guys that come up with that idea,

00:27:55.239 --> 00:27:57.899
you know? Oh, I'm sure it's going to be something awesome, especially if you

00:27:57.899 --> 00:27:59.919
told them to change it up a bit, you know?

00:28:00.239 --> 00:28:04.459
Yeah, so I'm going to keep my nose out of it, you know, and leave it to them.

00:28:04.599 --> 00:28:05.279
You know, they're the artists.

00:28:05.739 --> 00:28:10.419
So you delegate something to somebody. You got to let them have within reason, you know?

00:28:11.599 --> 00:28:14.899
I'm sure it's going to be great. That's good leadership. That's good leadership.

00:28:15.625 --> 00:28:21.045
So, so the economics of an event like this, how do you maintain or make sure

00:28:21.045 --> 00:28:22.485
that it remains profitable?

00:28:22.525 --> 00:28:26.205
Because at the end of the day, I know you, you can't just do this for,

00:28:26.425 --> 00:28:27.625
you know, for what it costs.

00:28:28.085 --> 00:28:32.965
No, it's, it's gotta be profitable. And, and, you know, we, we do give back

00:28:32.965 --> 00:28:36.125
just pretty much all of our advertising money back to charities,

00:28:36.265 --> 00:28:40.245
but there's still, we make our money off the vendors and the gate fees and stuff.

00:28:40.245 --> 00:28:45.365
But, you know, as, as things get crazy expensive, you know, leases are going

00:28:45.365 --> 00:28:50.585
up at the fairgrounds, insurances, we're in a crisis right now. Yeah.

00:28:51.205 --> 00:28:55.685
Motorcycle land of that. We, we, we don't want to run them off.

00:28:55.765 --> 00:28:59.445
You know, we want to keep, you know, there's just, there's a fine balance.

00:28:59.445 --> 00:29:01.605
You know, if I charge too much, they don't come.

00:29:01.765 --> 00:29:06.125
And, you know, if, if I can't charge enough, you know, I can't afford to do events.

00:29:06.325 --> 00:29:10.925
So, but, uh, I think we're pretty comfortable right now. got a good thing going.

00:29:11.305 --> 00:29:14.205
I think he's got it best. I think there's that happy medium and,

00:29:14.245 --> 00:29:17.785
you know, it seems like it's a great event every time, you know,

00:29:17.865 --> 00:29:20.365
we come out and this is the voice of the community.

00:29:21.205 --> 00:29:26.245
I think, you know, we all realize inflation is there and everything else that comes with it.

00:29:26.265 --> 00:29:30.025
As long as there's, you know, a sense of communication, even through your social

00:29:30.025 --> 00:29:34.765
media and branding that, Hey, you know, it's, it's not cheap to do something like this.

00:29:34.865 --> 00:29:38.045
I think we all appreciate bug jams so much that we'd

00:29:38.045 --> 00:29:40.685
all step up to the plate still well you know

00:29:40.685 --> 00:29:43.805
i like being transparent that's why i have phone numbers on there you got

00:29:43.805 --> 00:29:46.565
a problem i don't want to fight it on the internet i want you to call me

00:29:46.565 --> 00:29:50.925
you know a lot of times you see the back side of the problems that we have you

00:29:50.925 --> 00:29:55.305
don't understand some of the stuff we talked about you know i think we're very

00:29:55.305 --> 00:30:01.305
forced to be somewhat politically connected in date city to where we can do

00:30:01.305 --> 00:30:05.065
road closures and put on major events like this, which is good for the city.

00:30:05.305 --> 00:30:10.805
It brings a lot of people in there. And we were heavily involved with tourist

00:30:10.805 --> 00:30:14.905
development for years when we first came in there. Then that program's went away.

00:30:15.526 --> 00:30:18.986
And that was a big hit because there was a lot of money that came in through

00:30:18.986 --> 00:30:21.706
tourists to help put on the bug jam. Sure.

00:30:22.666 --> 00:30:28.106
And, and we were Pasco County's number one tourist, uh, attraction that,

00:30:28.266 --> 00:30:30.066
that they, they were supporting.

00:30:30.406 --> 00:30:34.586
So now they've kind of got into the hockey thing and as, as relationships change

00:30:34.586 --> 00:30:39.346
and different people, you know, delegate that money differently, we don't get any now.

00:30:39.586 --> 00:30:42.746
So, but bug jams got big enough to work and stand on its own.

00:30:42.746 --> 00:30:46.026
So, and I, and I think that program, what they were explaining to me,

00:30:46.106 --> 00:30:49.666
it is for starter programs and trying to keep, get people on their feet and,

00:30:49.906 --> 00:30:53.986
and, you know, so it helped a lot in the beginning and on our own now.

00:30:54.206 --> 00:30:56.746
I was going to say it, it worked, it worked.

00:30:57.666 --> 00:31:01.866
All right. So earlier you, you, you hinted on this and I, and I wanted to dive

00:31:01.866 --> 00:31:02.906
into it just a little bit.

00:31:03.286 --> 00:31:08.346
You know, you mentioned the Dade City Motocross. How do you balance Bug Jam and the Motocross?

00:31:09.766 --> 00:31:13.226
Well, it's, it's an event, you know, so that's what we do. is events.

00:31:13.406 --> 00:31:14.246
So they're very similar.

00:31:14.526 --> 00:31:20.086
I mean, I've done BMW events, Hummer events, Jeep events, all kinds of different

00:31:20.086 --> 00:31:21.606
events that we've put on.

00:31:22.266 --> 00:31:27.646
Came with Reeves. You know, we did a lot of stuff with her when she owned Reeves there in Tampa.

00:31:27.926 --> 00:31:31.686
But, um, and, and all the different people are totally different,

00:31:31.706 --> 00:31:35.026
you know, how you handle a Jeep person, a Volkswagen person,

00:31:35.146 --> 00:31:38.406
or, you know, they have different needs, different ways of seeing the world.

00:31:39.066 --> 00:31:44.666
So it's, it's kind of a challenge, but, But, you know, it's no different to

00:31:44.666 --> 00:31:49.786
me, the setting up, how we're doing the social media, how we get the trophies,

00:31:49.866 --> 00:31:51.986
how we get the insurance, how we get the road closures.

00:31:52.206 --> 00:31:54.746
It's pretty much the same. An event's an event.

00:31:55.226 --> 00:31:56.966
So it's just a matter of,

00:31:57.639 --> 00:32:03.199
The experience, now that we have 10 years under the Volkswagen putting on Boat

00:32:03.199 --> 00:32:08.079
Jam, we kind of know what to expect and we can't control the weather.

00:32:08.479 --> 00:32:13.719
But the pre-entry is what really helps us put the event on smoothly.

00:32:13.999 --> 00:32:19.979
You know, and if you really watch like this year, there wasn't hardly any lines

00:32:19.979 --> 00:32:23.019
coming in off Morningside when they were coming through.

00:32:23.399 --> 00:32:28.439
And by spreading it out from. It was all the lanes. Yes. We got multiple lanes.

00:32:28.619 --> 00:32:30.579
We got seven or eight girls there.

00:32:31.359 --> 00:32:33.359
Chick-fil-A, you know, we're trying to get them in.

00:32:34.319 --> 00:32:37.379
You can't get a better one than Chick-fil-A, you know? Noticed.

00:32:37.699 --> 00:32:41.439
You know, I saw those lanes and, you know, it was very efficient.

00:32:41.439 --> 00:32:43.299
I didn't wait long at all. Yeah.

00:32:44.099 --> 00:32:49.639
That was pretty awesome. What's the most stressful part of show week?

00:32:51.479 --> 00:32:55.379
Judging. Judging. I mean, that's, I mean, because, you know,

00:32:55.379 --> 00:32:58.539
you've got a car show and judging is important to those people.

00:32:58.679 --> 00:33:00.719
They've worked all year long on those cars.

00:33:01.259 --> 00:33:08.759
So getting, getting the judges to understand and, you know, it's subject to what you like.

00:33:08.939 --> 00:33:11.479
You know, you could, you'll pick a car totally different than me.

00:33:11.679 --> 00:33:17.499
So it's, it's tough. I really feel that our judges are doing a really good job

00:33:17.499 --> 00:33:20.559
considering the tasks that they have.

00:33:20.719 --> 00:33:25.379
We've broken it up into several different zones and people kind of know when

00:33:25.379 --> 00:33:28.339
to be, whereas we're judging this area at a certain time.

00:33:29.039 --> 00:33:32.879
We don't have people from clubs judging the cars, their car people,

00:33:33.079 --> 00:33:35.839
but not necessarily Volkswagen people. So.

00:33:36.663 --> 00:33:40.663
I think it's, I just don't have a lot of complaints on judging.

00:33:41.123 --> 00:33:49.423
And when they do complain, we pull that scorecard and we look at it and find

00:33:49.423 --> 00:33:50.743
out that we make a mistake.

00:33:50.903 --> 00:33:54.503
So we don't blow it off, you know, and we show the guy that,

00:33:54.643 --> 00:33:59.943
you know, this is why you didn't win or the interior was where you got,

00:34:00.023 --> 00:34:01.683
you know, less points for.

00:34:02.203 --> 00:34:07.943
And a lot of people want to know that because that way they can go and improve in it next year.

00:34:08.663 --> 00:34:12.163
We did a couple of small shows this year, me and my buddy down here,

00:34:12.303 --> 00:34:15.683
St. Petersburg area. And we let the sponsors judge.

00:34:16.643 --> 00:34:20.563
Yes. Because some of the sponsors didn't even really have anything to do with cars.

00:34:21.083 --> 00:34:24.943
So that's really a good opinion, you know? I agree.

00:34:25.343 --> 00:34:28.343
I think, you know, at first we got a little saying, well, they don't know Volkswagen.

00:34:28.383 --> 00:34:32.663
So I'm going, I don't know if that's necessarily it. They know what good is, though.

00:34:33.023 --> 00:34:35.883
Yeah, they know what good is. This is a cool car. I like it,

00:34:35.983 --> 00:34:38.923
you know? Right, right. And they're not biased at all.

00:34:39.243 --> 00:34:44.003
Right. So I think our formula is, there's no perfect, but it's,

00:34:44.103 --> 00:34:49.963
we definitely think about it a lot to try to make sure that we're going in the right direction.

00:34:49.963 --> 00:34:54.663
And if people think we're not, you know, pick up his phone and call me, you know?

00:34:54.883 --> 00:34:58.503
Yep. Like I said, you're not that difficult to get in touch with at all.

00:34:58.503 --> 00:35:03.143
So if you could go back 10 years and change just one thing, what do you think that would be?

00:35:04.003 --> 00:35:08.663
I don't think it changed anything. Truthfully. I know I like the direction we're going.

00:35:09.003 --> 00:35:13.563
I think, I think the, you know, change to the two day show, bringing in people

00:35:13.563 --> 00:35:19.503
are literally, you know, I would say that first day when you come in on Friday,

00:35:19.763 --> 00:35:21.643
we got them staged out in the field.

00:35:22.663 --> 00:35:27.423
We leave pre-registration open probably a little bit too long because people

00:35:27.423 --> 00:35:33.623
are really kind of watching the weather before they they pre-enter especially

00:35:33.623 --> 00:35:38.223
lately last five years because hey november we might have a hurricane coming

00:35:38.223 --> 00:35:40.363
so it's that's very true so.

00:35:41.623 --> 00:35:45.043
Behind the scenes for instance you know you gotta remember we gotta pull your

00:35:45.043 --> 00:35:48.663
we're gonna order your t-shirts by the size and you know we do sell so we do

00:35:48.663 --> 00:35:52.723
have an overrun of t-shirts you know we've got to get your packet.

00:35:53.183 --> 00:35:56.303
Are you camping? Are you a show car?

00:35:56.543 --> 00:36:00.863
Are you doing the poker run? All these things go into your packet.

00:36:01.003 --> 00:36:05.583
So those packets take four or five days of three girls putting those packets

00:36:05.583 --> 00:36:10.363
together so we can streamline that registration when you get there.

00:36:10.943 --> 00:36:15.103
Then when you get guys that show up day of show to sign, we've got to put them

00:36:15.103 --> 00:36:18.163
in another line because that's going to take a little bit longer.

00:36:18.543 --> 00:36:22.903
We're trying to get the right amount of awards for day of show entries.

00:36:23.063 --> 00:36:26.423
We've got to kind of estimate that. And now that we have a track record of 10

00:36:26.423 --> 00:36:30.843
years, we kind of know how many cars we're going to get day of pretty close.

00:36:31.803 --> 00:36:35.523
So having the data available to us now has helped a lot.

00:36:36.241 --> 00:36:40.721
You know, so that experience of doing these, but I don't think I'd change much.

00:36:40.881 --> 00:36:43.721
I don't like this. I'm open to suggest. That's a fair answer. That's a fair answer.

00:36:44.801 --> 00:36:48.361
Even if you would change nothing at all, like you said, I think that that's a fair answer.

00:36:48.501 --> 00:36:52.281
So let's touch on this then. What, what's next? What can we get excited about?

00:36:52.381 --> 00:36:54.821
What's next for Bug Jam in the coming years?

00:36:55.281 --> 00:36:58.481
I think we do need to reinvent a little bit right now.

00:36:58.681 --> 00:37:03.041
So that's what I was actually going to ask was how do we, how do you keep it

00:37:03.041 --> 00:37:07.821
fresh year after year? Because like you said, right, the, the culture is kind

00:37:07.821 --> 00:37:09.941
of getting older and dying off and these new kids.

00:37:10.081 --> 00:37:14.141
Like, do you, do you, do you have to change, you know, the way that things are

00:37:14.141 --> 00:37:17.041
planned or the, the audience that you, you know, that's one of the,

00:37:17.061 --> 00:37:21.141
as a show promoter, right? You have to, you have to target an audience.

00:37:21.361 --> 00:37:23.601
And truthfully, I think we're at the time where we're ready.

00:37:23.781 --> 00:37:30.121
We need to start and bring it in the Latin band was something that I thought should be done.

00:37:30.421 --> 00:37:34.961
Yeah, good idea. It did go over good. So that's just one idea. Okay.

00:37:36.001 --> 00:37:39.901
Because truthfully, to me, the concerts cost a lot of money.

00:37:40.181 --> 00:37:45.441
There's a lot of money spent on that stage, the sound, the production of that.

00:37:46.181 --> 00:37:50.401
Local bands get the chance to play on big stage like that. It's really cool

00:37:50.401 --> 00:37:51.881
for those guys to get to do that.

00:37:52.301 --> 00:37:57.401
We've got some pretty big talent, but it's not profitable. I can tell you that.

00:37:57.541 --> 00:38:01.481
It's probably one of the things we spend a lot of budget on that we don't get

00:38:01.481 --> 00:38:06.361
a lot back on, but it's the vibe. I think the vibe's important at night.

00:38:07.201 --> 00:38:11.421
You can hear it down in the primitive camping. They hear the concert.

00:38:11.601 --> 00:38:13.561
They're down there having their own little party going.

00:38:13.841 --> 00:38:18.901
Yeah. But it's, it's the overall vibe. And I think if that wasn't there at night,

00:38:19.161 --> 00:38:22.141
it wouldn't be different, you know? So.

00:38:23.261 --> 00:38:27.341
Can you think over the years of something that you haven't done that you,

00:38:27.541 --> 00:38:29.481
that you've thought about that you wanted to do?

00:38:30.129 --> 00:38:34.749
No, you see, I think a lot of it is the liability.

00:38:35.009 --> 00:38:38.589
You know, I loved when we had those night parades and everybody drove around

00:38:38.589 --> 00:38:40.289
at night and it was kind of cool.

00:38:41.129 --> 00:38:47.249
But insurance is, you know, having a fit over that. So we had to get rid of that, which was.

00:38:47.849 --> 00:38:51.109
You're a St. Pete guy, believe it, a Gibbs High School graduate.

00:38:52.009 --> 00:38:57.669
Yeah, I thought I saw that. So you'll appreciate this. The V-Dubs over the Skyways run 26 years.

00:38:57.869 --> 00:39:01.249
This year is 26, actually. April 13th.

00:39:01.609 --> 00:39:08.089
And we started the first night ride over the Skyway just last year.

00:39:08.429 --> 00:39:13.169
So 26 years of V-dubs over the Skyway running on a Sunday morning.

00:39:13.509 --> 00:39:16.609
This year, this past year, we did a November,

00:39:16.989 --> 00:39:24.309
actually the weekend after Bug Jam, the prior ride for the daytime Sunday ride,

00:39:24.409 --> 00:39:28.869
we had about 400 That ended up showing up We parked at the Trop,

00:39:29.129 --> 00:39:35.189
Lot 5 Across the street from the Fergs And we got down It was awesome But then

00:39:35.189 --> 00:39:39.129
later in the year, November You know how it is to have a show And it's successful

00:39:39.129 --> 00:39:41.709
Everybody's like, do it again, what's next?

00:39:42.149 --> 00:39:46.909
Yes So we did the next one We're like, hey, let's do it at night We did it at

00:39:46.909 --> 00:39:51.429
night And it was like half the amount of people showed up Now granted,

00:39:51.649 --> 00:39:54.529
we had two hurricanes come through here And do some damage.

00:39:55.289 --> 00:39:59.149
Between those times, but that's, that's what I was going to say.

00:39:59.309 --> 00:40:02.449
We did a night ride too. And all the cars, November, you know,

00:40:02.529 --> 00:40:08.129
late November were tricked out Christmas lights, LEDs, you know, we had a light contest.

00:40:08.129 --> 00:40:12.769
We gave away a custom made trophy for the, you know, the, the,

00:40:12.829 --> 00:40:14.889
the best lit up car essentially.

00:40:15.209 --> 00:40:20.349
So I, I know that vibe right there of the nighttime stuff. What a cool vibe that is.

00:40:20.929 --> 00:40:26.549
Yeah. And I would have thought the night would have been more successful, but, you know. Me too.

00:40:27.229 --> 00:40:30.069
I mean, but I mean, I would have, I would have went for that risk.

00:40:30.229 --> 00:40:33.189
So when you said something about the cars, but what about, I mean,

00:40:33.229 --> 00:40:35.969
are Volkswagens, I've heard some pretty good stereos.

00:40:36.049 --> 00:40:40.249
Could we do a stereo contest in these books or is that out of line or is that

00:40:40.249 --> 00:40:42.289
something that's. Hey man, that's. I don't know.

00:40:42.569 --> 00:40:45.749
Yeah. That's like the, the old school low rider contest. You know,

00:40:45.809 --> 00:40:50.569
they use the bass and the, they'd have the hydraulic bounce and all that stuff. Yeah. Yeah.

00:40:51.069 --> 00:40:54.229
And yes, stereos are super important in sound.

00:40:54.389 --> 00:40:57.129
We can bring them right up in front of the stage. We got room,

00:40:57.249 --> 00:40:59.729
you know, especially we knew we were going to do that. And we could line them

00:40:59.729 --> 00:41:01.889
up and bring them through and let them do the little thing.

00:41:03.009 --> 00:41:08.549
Because we are. This is how you come up with new ideas is you brainstorm with people. Yeah.

00:41:09.089 --> 00:41:11.989
Like, say, oh, yeah, maybe a stereo contest.

00:41:13.109 --> 00:41:16.629
That's one way. That's how you keep it fresh. We'll call it,

00:41:16.689 --> 00:41:20.729
you sponsor it with your name. So we'll support you. Let it be the stereo.

00:41:21.919 --> 00:41:25.239
Dub Life Diaries Stereo Contest.

00:41:25.419 --> 00:41:30.119
Yep. And you run it. You know, you can take the heat and I'll provide the trophies

00:41:30.119 --> 00:41:32.699
and stuff. So we'll talk about that off camera.

00:41:33.059 --> 00:41:36.359
Yeah. Yeah. Awesome. That's awesome. Thank you. I appreciate that.

00:41:36.699 --> 00:41:42.859
So if you had an unlimited budget, unlimited budget, what's one thing you'd add to Bug Jam?

00:41:43.199 --> 00:41:47.719
I would probably really go really big on the awards. You know,

00:41:47.819 --> 00:41:49.319
I think they're really important.

00:41:50.319 --> 00:41:53.679
And I think we give away some pretty nice awards, but you know,

00:41:53.739 --> 00:41:57.659
I would, I would really go up on the awards for the people.

00:41:57.879 --> 00:42:01.679
I hate to keep saying, but it just seems like it's, everybody's really happy.

00:42:02.479 --> 00:42:06.099
I don't know what I would do. You know, we could bring in some more talent on

00:42:06.099 --> 00:42:11.459
the, on the bands and bring more people in because as a promoted music concerts and stuff.

00:42:11.459 --> 00:42:16.139
But unless you've got a really big band, a big name band that's current,

00:42:16.399 --> 00:42:19.239
you're not going to draw people that are going to pay a ticket.

00:42:19.479 --> 00:42:25.699
So, and that's why I think just the vibe that we're, we're after there, but you know,

00:42:26.039 --> 00:42:30.139
I probably gained about 10 pounds during Bug Jam because there's some good cooks

00:42:30.139 --> 00:42:34.019
there because as I drive around, you know, come eat, you know,

00:42:34.139 --> 00:42:36.799
so I'm eating all night long, you know.

00:42:37.599 --> 00:42:42.219
I don't know who to follow around next time. I try not to drink at the event,

00:42:42.419 --> 00:42:45.979
you know, so I won't get into the bug jam, the bug juice there.

00:42:48.459 --> 00:42:53.519
So, but I got to stay pretty sharp in order to take care of problems, you know, so.

00:42:53.819 --> 00:42:57.059
So over the last 10 years, you've had a lot of fun. You've seen a lot of stuff.

00:42:57.179 --> 00:43:01.019
What's one of your favorite memories from the past bug jam shows that you've been a part of?

00:43:01.159 --> 00:43:04.679
You know, I tell you, when we brought all the original owners from the bug jam

00:43:04.679 --> 00:43:08.539
that started it, And this was probably in year five or so.

00:43:09.039 --> 00:43:11.759
Jeannie was there when she passed away a couple of years ago,

00:43:12.019 --> 00:43:13.859
which she was right before the fair.

00:43:14.299 --> 00:43:19.019
We brought everybody up that had a part of bunch of them in the early days. And, uh,

00:43:19.389 --> 00:43:25.669
I think they were all surprised, you know, because I don't want to tell people I started this show.

00:43:25.849 --> 00:43:28.029
You know, that's not what it's about, you know. Right.

00:43:28.689 --> 00:43:33.789
I'm just at the reins right now, you know, and who will come in after me? I don't know, you know.

00:43:35.089 --> 00:43:40.129
But right now, that was one of my favorite things that I put together.

00:43:40.289 --> 00:43:43.949
I got everybody that started the Bug Jam up there on stage, you know.

00:43:44.409 --> 00:43:47.789
That's why it's so successful, brother. Your heart's in place, man.

00:43:47.969 --> 00:43:51.949
Absolutely. that's that's a that's a great answer i appreciate that i'm sure

00:43:51.949 --> 00:43:57.769
the community does as well do you recall as far as cars that have come through

00:43:57.769 --> 00:44:01.169
there and and any that have been like super rare,

00:44:01.989 --> 00:44:06.949
there's you know i'm not so up on the volkswagen but we have i think they had

00:44:06.949 --> 00:44:12.269
one of those volkswagens in the dan king in this last year that was belonged

00:44:12.269 --> 00:44:14.189
to some of the celebrities different people.

00:44:14.389 --> 00:44:16.769
They're pretty rare cars to begin with too.

00:44:17.129 --> 00:44:19.389
Then who owned those cars beforehand.

00:44:20.289 --> 00:44:26.029
And I think, I think the story behind the car is important to me.

00:44:26.349 --> 00:44:29.669
You know, when you, when you, when they got a history and a story,

00:44:29.929 --> 00:44:33.129
you know, like, you know, this is my grandfather's car, you know,

00:44:33.209 --> 00:44:35.409
we restored it and this and that.

00:44:35.589 --> 00:44:38.109
And, you know, I, that's, what's important to me.

00:44:38.349 --> 00:44:40.809
I, I liked going around and listening to those stories.

00:44:41.598 --> 00:44:45.438
About the cars. So I've got a question for you that I'm going to,

00:44:45.498 --> 00:44:50.118
I'm going to ask every guest that comes on the podcast and they have to answer

00:44:50.118 --> 00:44:51.518
it as honestly as possible.

00:44:51.978 --> 00:44:57.238
What is your favorite VW model of all time?

00:44:57.398 --> 00:45:01.358
I have a feeling I, I heard it earlier, but I'm gonna let you take it.

00:45:03.838 --> 00:45:07.898
I'm trying to be, you know, really look and say, you know, if I could have any

00:45:07.898 --> 00:45:10.058
one I wanted, what would it be?

00:45:12.658 --> 00:45:18.838
And, you know, I see a lot, you know, I know it's pretty plain jam,

00:45:18.898 --> 00:45:23.198
but I'm still a Bay Window guy, you know, I would probably get the Bay Window

00:45:23.198 --> 00:45:26.878
bus and I think camping in the bus would be fun for me.

00:45:28.278 --> 00:45:33.258
You know, I probably won't like it the next morning because I must sleep on a good mattress, but...

00:45:33.258 --> 00:45:36.078
Yeah, you can put a good mattress in one of those things

00:45:36.078 --> 00:45:39.038
man i i think a bay window bug jam

00:45:39.038 --> 00:45:42.098
bus kitted out you got a ton of talent that

00:45:42.098 --> 00:45:45.518
comes out to that show somebody can make you one like that

00:45:45.518 --> 00:45:48.658
yeah and i don't want it totally restored i

00:45:48.658 --> 00:45:53.458
kind of like it in original with the old paint on the side that said you know

00:45:53.458 --> 00:46:01.018
bug jam yeah put this on the side yeah but old painted you know and and you

00:46:01.018 --> 00:46:05.578
know not not modern and not perfect you know I would really like him to have

00:46:05.578 --> 00:46:07.858
a nice running gear. You don't want it to run good, you know?

00:46:08.398 --> 00:46:13.838
Yeah, yeah. Or should I? I get to drive a lot of cars because people bring me cars during Bug Jam.

00:46:13.958 --> 00:46:18.078
You know, hey, Randy, you want to drive my car, you know? And we had some influencers

00:46:18.078 --> 00:46:21.718
that were on the internet that came in, and we brought a bus, and they'd.

00:46:22.207 --> 00:46:25.147
Did the poker run. They did the parade. They did everything.

00:46:25.807 --> 00:46:29.847
And they had a bunch of people coming in camp and motorhomes and stuff.

00:46:30.027 --> 00:46:33.527
And that was a cool promotion and it went over well.

00:46:33.607 --> 00:46:38.887
They got a lot, a lot of views and they got to drive a cool bus and that they'd

00:46:38.887 --> 00:46:39.967
never experienced before.

00:46:40.107 --> 00:46:43.007
So it was, it was kind of neat. I like little things like that,

00:46:43.107 --> 00:46:45.207
that we do behind the scenes, you know?

00:46:45.647 --> 00:46:50.067
Yeah. All right. Well, we're about to wrap this thing up.

00:46:50.147 --> 00:46:54.167
I do want to ask you before we do though, What would be some parting advice

00:46:54.167 --> 00:46:58.687
that you could give to VW enthusiasts that are going to venture out,

00:46:58.807 --> 00:47:01.907
maybe haven't been to Bug Jam, maybe ones that want to come?

00:47:02.067 --> 00:47:03.407
What advice would you give them?

00:47:04.767 --> 00:47:10.127
Come on to have fun, you know, and just don't, it's just a good time,

00:47:10.267 --> 00:47:13.947
you know, and you're going to see so much in that swap meet area.

00:47:14.207 --> 00:47:18.367
If you're needing parts, you know, that swap meet's out of control.

00:47:18.367 --> 00:47:21.127
You know we get people from all over the world because they

00:47:21.127 --> 00:47:25.767
know how much stuff 140 147 swap

00:47:25.767 --> 00:47:28.907
vendors last year you know night i

00:47:28.907 --> 00:47:32.047
remember being out there i went and checked all out there i was looking for

00:47:32.047 --> 00:47:38.727
a for a thing bottom rail from my windshield and and i i was flabbergasted i'm

00:47:38.727 --> 00:47:44.447
like well wow like where do i go this football field or this one well i think

00:47:44.447 --> 00:47:48.307
what i would recommend is do the whole thing. Do the parade.

00:47:48.967 --> 00:47:53.987
Do the poker run. Watch the bugs on the track. Come to the concerts.

00:47:54.967 --> 00:47:57.287
Realize there's just a lot to do at the bug jam.

00:47:58.607 --> 00:48:03.467
Come early. Get you a good camping spot with your friends. Make it an event

00:48:03.467 --> 00:48:05.627
because you're not there with your friends.

00:48:06.227 --> 00:48:08.667
It's a lot more fun when you're a group of people.

00:48:09.887 --> 00:48:13.787
We see probably 75% of them are big groups,

00:48:14.340 --> 00:48:18.740
But I would say do more of the activities. And that's what Saturday was built

00:48:18.740 --> 00:48:23.300
around, was we thought we could get Saturday to go if we made an activity day.

00:48:23.460 --> 00:48:24.780
So that's when the poker run's going.

00:48:24.940 --> 00:48:28.020
That's when the parade's going. That's when the concerts are going.

00:48:28.400 --> 00:48:32.420
All that Saturday. Then we get serious on Sunday with the show.

00:48:33.420 --> 00:48:38.100
So, and everybody's been really good. You put your tent up on your spot and

00:48:38.100 --> 00:48:39.360
you go out and do those activities.

00:48:39.500 --> 00:48:42.960
You come back in your spots there. You know, people have not.

00:48:43.200 --> 00:48:47.220
I don't think I've ever had to go talk to somebody that took their spot.

00:48:47.420 --> 00:48:51.540
Well, the community is used to that type of, of hangout.

00:48:51.740 --> 00:48:54.000
That's what, that's what they do. They go, they get their spot,

00:48:54.160 --> 00:48:58.500
they set up, they put all their trinkets and stuff out of their buses and,

00:48:58.580 --> 00:49:01.720
and set up their spot and that's their safe space.

00:49:01.880 --> 00:49:05.260
And that's what is really across the country and a lot of these shows.

00:49:05.480 --> 00:49:09.140
And that's one of the things we learned from the first couple of bug teams we

00:49:09.140 --> 00:49:10.840
did. We ended up making the spots bigger.

00:49:10.960 --> 00:49:13.820
You know and i think we got a little bit

00:49:13.820 --> 00:49:16.840
of oh probably one of the problems we

00:49:16.840 --> 00:49:19.720
have is people thinking they can take up two spots which

00:49:19.720 --> 00:49:22.520
would be wonderful but we just don't have the room

00:49:22.520 --> 00:49:25.600
you know we pretty much fill the entire fairground so yeah

00:49:25.600 --> 00:49:28.400
pretty awesome then we ask and the

00:49:28.400 --> 00:49:31.260
people go well if we buy two spots i go it's not about the

00:49:31.260 --> 00:49:34.260
money you know it's about letting somebody

00:49:34.260 --> 00:49:37.440
else have a good spot you know and and the

00:49:37.440 --> 00:49:40.280
the tent areas you can put a tent over your car and

00:49:40.280 --> 00:49:43.060
still have a little bit of room so i think

00:49:43.060 --> 00:49:45.980
mainly getting to understand that we are

00:49:45.980 --> 00:49:49.660
crowded you know and but

00:49:49.660 --> 00:49:55.340
you know it's it's a pretty it's a pretty easy group how's that some good part

00:49:55.340 --> 00:50:02.480
and advice though come for the show come for the whole experience do the parade

00:50:02.480 --> 00:50:06.760
do the poker run eat the food enjoy the show.

00:50:07.237 --> 00:50:11.697
That's pretty much what I took from that. And then you gave us the dates earlier,

00:50:11.897 --> 00:50:12.717
but we'll say them again.

00:50:12.877 --> 00:50:16.477
November 7th, 8th, and 9th this year in 2025.

00:50:17.157 --> 00:50:23.337
We can't tease the shirt design, but we can say it's going to be different and new.

00:50:23.617 --> 00:50:28.837
That's a big enough tease. We have listened to our customers like, what?

00:50:29.317 --> 00:50:33.617
They don't look like the shirt we had last year. I know you're right. And I blew that one.

00:50:35.497 --> 00:50:38.577
I get them every year. I get the coin, too. I love them.

00:50:39.577 --> 00:50:43.617
Part of the fabric, you know, I've been doing it for a long time.

00:50:44.037 --> 00:50:48.117
I've been a fan of Bug Jam for a long, long time. So, yeah, man.

00:50:48.237 --> 00:50:49.437
Awesome. All right. Well.

00:50:49.957 --> 00:50:55.777
And just one thing I'm putting on mine. If people have good ideas, I am so open for it.

00:50:55.857 --> 00:50:59.277
You know, like I said, I think you're going to do the stereo thing for us this

00:50:59.277 --> 00:51:00.717
year. Are we going to commitment on?

00:51:00.997 --> 00:51:04.437
I'm going to be happy to do it. You got a commitment on that for me.

00:51:04.577 --> 00:51:09.397
No problem. I got a mini Allen that's going to jump in and help out too,

00:51:09.557 --> 00:51:13.377
but that, that is so, that is so cool. And I'm absolutely down for that.

00:51:13.757 --> 00:51:18.597
Again, I want to thank you. The community wants to thank you for your time. I know you're a busy guy.

00:51:18.817 --> 00:51:22.997
We certainly appreciate you, you coming on and taking your time to tell us about

00:51:22.997 --> 00:51:25.797
the biggest show in the Southeast, you know, for Globeswagon enthusiasts.

00:51:26.857 --> 00:51:30.197
Without our customers, we wouldn't have that title, you know,

00:51:30.277 --> 00:51:33.617
because it's a group effort between a lot of people.

00:51:33.777 --> 00:51:38.337
And I'm very proud of what we've accomplished over the last 10 years.

00:51:38.537 --> 00:51:41.697
Well, it is one hell of a ride and a show.

00:51:42.097 --> 00:51:45.377
And, you know, hats off to you again. Thank you for your time.

00:51:45.957 --> 00:51:50.017
I will look forward to chatting with you again soon. I'll follow up with you.

00:51:50.137 --> 00:51:54.077
I'm a text guy. I'll probably text you. you could probably tell just from my

00:51:54.077 --> 00:51:56.977
style of communication as well. I'm very punctual.

00:51:58.897 --> 00:52:04.417
I'm not. As you can tell, I'm like, oh my. See, I'm afraid if I open the email,

00:52:04.577 --> 00:52:08.517
it'll get shuffled in all the other ones. Right. You want to stay at the top? Yeah, yeah, yeah.

00:52:09.177 --> 00:52:13.177
I want to stay there. Now when I got time, I can talk to him.

00:52:13.297 --> 00:52:16.937
And that's a wrap for this episode of Dub Life Diaries.

00:52:17.357 --> 00:52:20.997
Thanks for riding along with us and diving into these incredible stories of

00:52:20.997 --> 00:52:23.057
the people in the Dove that drive their dreams.

00:52:23.317 --> 00:52:27.877
If you loved today's episode, don't forget to subscribe or hit that follow button

00:52:27.877 --> 00:52:29.197
so you never miss an adventure.

00:52:29.557 --> 00:52:34.137
Do you have a story to tell or know somebody else who's living the Dove life? Awesome.

00:52:34.457 --> 00:52:39.497
Reach out to us. You can find us on all socials at Dove Life Diaries or shoot

00:52:39.497 --> 00:52:41.257
me an email. I'm not hard to find.

00:52:42.097 --> 00:52:47.177
DoveLifeDiaries at gmail.com Until next time, keep the engines humming and the

00:52:47.177 --> 00:52:50.437
wheels turning and always follow the road that inspires you.

00:52:50.757 --> 00:52:54.057
This is Joe Person. I'm signing off. I'll catch you on the next.

00:52:55.280 --> 00:53:51.756
Music.