Punch-Buggy No Return! (A favourite way to punch your brother without getting into trouble!) This past weekend there were lots of “Punch-Buggies” driving the streets of Killarney as over 70 VWs converged to Erin Park for the Annual Dubs at the Lake Show and Shine.

Organizer, Ryan Smith, says this is the third year they have hosted the event, drawing Volkswagen enthusiasts from Canada and the US. He says each year the event gets bigger and better.

An annual highlight for all participants has been the Saturday evening movie at the Shamrock Drive-in Theatre just south of Killarney. Last summer a severe thunderstorm severely damaged the huge movie screen. And, earlier this spring, a severe weather system finished it off, destroying it completely.

Smith explains how they turned a dilemma of what to do in lieu of the Drive-in movie, into a fund-raising event to raise money to help replace the screen.

Smith attributes the success of the Show and Shine to the strong community support, by way of sponsorships and hands-on involvement. Killarney’s Fire Department cooked up the Sunday morning breakfast for the VW weekenders, adding their own flavour of iconic vehicles to the mix; Killarney’s green fire trucks!

A 1949 Volkswagen Beetle was the oldest VW in attendance this weekend, originating from Sweden. Owners, Nancy and Dick Lorntson, brought 4 VW vehicles from their home in the Twin Cities in Minnesota, the beautiful 1949 chocolate-colored beetle being a true eye-catcher all weekend. There were only 4300 Volkswagen Beetles made in 1949.