Club Profile: Red River VW Club

Please allow us to introduce you to another VW Club from overseas; this time we bring you the Red River VW Club, based in Fargo, North Dakota. 

Situated around 150 miles from the USA / Canada border, the Red River VW Club has been established for two decades, and has members spread out across North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, the province of Manitoba in Canada and beyond. Their events get 60-100 vehicles turn up, depending on the weather, and as club president Adrienne explains "This number may seem small to those who live in warmer or coastal climates, but Fargo is located in a very rural and northern part of the US where hobby cars - especially classics, aren't as popular due to the long winters."

Celebrating its 19th birthday this year was the club's "Volkswagens in the Valley" annual car show. Attracting around 70 vehicles it was a successful event, with the club laying on portable shade, fans, water misting tents and free ice water to help enthusiasts cope with the humidity of the regional heat warning that had been announced. 

Adrienne tells me more about the people who attend. "The club is fortunate to have the support and participation of our members, both local and farther away and there are two additional clubs we are closest to, geographically. One is the Missouri Valley VW Club, located in Bismarck, ND. Their show takes place a few weeks after our show every year. The other is the Manitoba VW Club, based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Their "Volksfest" show is the weekend before ours in July. Many club members also travel to shows in southern Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, and beyond."

The show's location is the Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Center, which has the actual wood chipper from the film on display indoors and a replica for photo opportunities outside. The large green space surrounding the visitor center offers everyone room to relax, catch up with old friends, play games, and enjoy food from various catering trucks. 

There are no requirements or restrictions on who can enter the show. Some cars are immaculately restored; others are driven daily or are in-progress projects. 10 "Show-Stopper" trophies and 1 "Best in Show" are awarded; these are all participants' choices and are each determined by the number of overall votes, not by the vehicle type.

This year's Best-in-Show was a beautiful bright yellow restored 1973 Beetle of a longtime participant and club member. The club also provides a couple of fun awards: one for the longest distance travelled, and the other for Murphy's Law (for bad luck travelling to the show).

Shop VW Beetle restoration parts here.

2025 will make the 20th anniversary of the Volkswagens in the Valley show and the club have big things planned. Adrianne lets slip about a VW Beetle being given away as a prize and a major VW magazine coming along to cover the show too. Fancy a trip to Fargo? Pop 26th July 2025 in your diary, and you'll be most welcome! 

Our thanks to Adrianne from the Red River VW Club for telling us more about what they get up to, and for sharing these photos from their annual event. 

If you have a Volkswagen, Porsche or Land Rover club you would like to shine a spotlight on, please get in touch!

Andy