Loving the Alien

The biggest New Beetle event in the world is getting bigger, says Roswell2K organiser David Allen. "We've got about 200 registered now, which is ahead of this time last year."

Roswell2K was started in 2000 as a three-day event to bring New Beetle fans together in Roswell, New Mexico. Why Roswell? The alien capital of the world is perfect for the gathering, as it is themed around Volkswagen's commercial that the New Beetle is reverse-engineered from a UFO.

Dubbed R2Kv2 (Roswell2K Version 2) or Roswell2K 2001: A Bug Odyssey, the event is back by popular demand, set this year for June 15 to 17. Beetle BUZZ has reopened its special Roswell2K section, which includes photos from last year, hot links, itinerary and important numbers. Remember, if you are unable to go that doesn't mean you have to be totally left out a sign up for a care package, which includes an event T-shirt, show flyers and alien goodies, at the official Roswell2K site.

While hundreds head to Roswell, a fictitious birthplace of the bulbous VW, a couple of devoted fans are headed to a place every New Beetle knows as home: Puebla, Mexico. Puebla boasts the only factory in the world that makes not only the new Bug but also the original. Peter Howard, Earl McCutcheon and whoever wants to come are going there this October.

Unlike Roswell2K, this trek is not intended to be big. "I'd personally like to see between eight to 15 New Beetles caravan down," says Howard, who frequently visits Mexico in his Batik Blue turbo Bug. Highlights of Puebla 2001 include a factory tour and miles of great Mexican Buggin' with fellow Buggers.

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