Saturday, after oversleeping until 12:00, I walked to Ornbau to find the VDH center crowded with people and at full capacity. "Cocolate", two Musicians playing guitar and violin, performed cool renditions of all types of songs. Ever heard Black Magic Woman on a violin?
Everyone was busy looking, studying, buying and of course, beer drinking. All looking as if they were in car heaven with their friends.

The day went quickly. At 6:00 the band "Cash" started playing cover songs that had the crowd jumping. So much fun.

11:30 arrived and the band loaded into a large truck equipped with instruments and sound. We (2000 people) followed them down to the entrance bridge at the river while the band played. After everyone gathered along a long road, in full view of the bridge, the Fireworks started. It was one of the best shows I have ever seen. With the effects off the bridge and the reflection in the perfectly smooth river, each display was doubled in size. When it ended, the place went nuts. I will never forget it.

View a 10 minute segment of the fireworks:  http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=1dDC1tMI6Os

Afterwards, we took a taxi to the "water tower". It is a tall, smokestack looking, retired water storage tower on the edge of town. As you enter, the interior was converted to a bar for younger people. Techno music, black lights, kids dancing and laughing. Everyone there was around the same age, obviously having an incredible time. The Taxi's were busy.

Back at the center, Cash was supposed to stop playing at 1:00. The crowd was so wild, they didn't end it until 2:30. Not one complaint from the neighboring homes. So Cool.  4:30 morning, I was Taxied back to the flat.

Sunday was wind down (and headache) day. I spent some time with my friends Rudi and Sabine and their kids who drove in from Stuttgart just to say "Hi". 

Parts sales were in full swing. The car auction started and all of the cars for sale were sold, at good prices for the new owners.

 Bernhart added 3 more to his collection of 70 Mercedes. He told me he never drives any of his cars, but I shot a photo of Bernhart and his family driving his newly acquired 72 280se 4.5 to the storage building!  Hopefully, it's a permanent change.

At 8:00 the party started again. This time for Ornbau residences only. DJ and more beer, it was time to sleep.

Monday, Andreas picked me up at 9:00 in the morning and told me they were up until 5:00AM as he drove me to the Airport.  What a great VDH meeting. Definitely worth the trip from California.

 
Horst, the creator of VDH has built a club like no other. I have known him for 23 years and have watched the growth of VDH since it's inception. His dedication to the VDH manifest of peace, love and information all connected with Mercedes is a reflection of his own life philosophy. For 3 full days, no police... no security... 2000+ people, 800+ cars, not one single disturbance.  It is apparent that all VDH club members share the same philosophy. This 20th anniversary was one to remember. An event I will never forget. 

 

Visit VDH at:   http://mercedesclubs.de/

Marc Silverstein

Sun Valley Mercedes Dismantlers, Inc.