'Hippies' invade annual Herzogfest
By KALEY CONNER
VICTORIA -- It was hard to miss Brett Wellbrock's entry at the first Herzogfest Rod, Custom and Cycle Show.
Adorned with Grateful Dead window decals, tie-dye upholstery and a retro floral paint job, the 1973 Volkswagen bus was something of a time machine. Wellbrock and his wife, Kelly, purchased the bus about a year ago and are beginning to enter competitive shows.
"I'm a hippie, but she's way more of a hippie than I am," Wellbrock said of his wife. "Truth be known, it is her bus. I just get to work on it."
Nearly 70 vehicles and motorcycles entered the showing, which was judged at 3 p.m. Saturday in Victoria's city park. Hundreds of people flocked to the festival during the weekend to enjoy a variety of events, including a polka Mass, fireworks and free concerts.
For the Salina couple, along with their two children, Carson, 3, and Julia, 1, it's all about fun. The family drives the bus -- complete with a pop-up tent, a small refrigerator and a working sink -- on a regular basis.
While he might be young, the couple's son also expressed his affection for the family vehicle.
"That bus is sexy," Carson said with a giggle, hugging his father's legs.
"We teach him one-liners like that," said Wellbrock, a Victoria native.
The family had not yet won an award for the bus, but their fortune was about to change. The relic placed in the top 25 at Saturday's showing.
A few rows over, another young enthusiast was enjoying the show.
Sporting a T-shirt with a car on it, 9-year-old Darius James, Victoria, made the rounds with his grandparents.
"I like that orange one," James said, pointing to a 1936 Ford Coupe.
It turns out James has a good eye. The coupe, owned by Dennis Wellbrock, was named best of show at Saturday's event.
Dennis Wellbrock, a native of Victoria who now lives in Lakewood, Colo., travels the Midwest to show his car. And so far, it's been doing pretty well, he said.
"It's been kicking butt," he said. "This is quite special, coming back home and bringing a good car."