2026 Type 3 Invasion - Eau Claire, WI - June 25-28, 2026

[jaransonT3]

We are still working out all the details for 2026, but for those folks that have never attended a Type 3 Invasion, the schedule for Invasion weekend typically goes something like this....

Thursday: Early Bird Get-Together

This is a casual evening gathering for those folks that are local to the Invasion or have arrived early. We have had them at a local restaurant, the host hotel parking lot, someone's backyard, etc. Great chance to catch-up with old friends, make new ones, and just enjoy each other's company and cars.

Friday: Free Day

This is the day we set aside for folks to explore the area. One of the great things about the Invasions is that they are always in a new area. We have never repeated a location and 2026 will be the 12th Invasion. We have planned some group events/tours on this day at some of the Invasions: Local photo-ops, Cruises to Crater lake, Laps at Watkins Glen Raceway, Trip to the the VW Museum/Plant in Georgia, Star Trek Museum Tours, etc. Lots of hanging out in small groups at the host hotel and local restaurants on this day also.

Saturday: Main Invasion Day

Saturday is a full day of Invasion activities. This is the day to get everyone and their cars together at the Invasion site to show off your car, exchange stories, and hang out. We typically do several tech sessions on things like D-Jet Fuel Injection, Type 3 Brakes, Maintaining/Adjusting your suspension, etc. We also do our Silent Auction on Saturday to raise money for a local charity and we hand out the Invasion awards. It is NOT a judged car show. Our awards are things like Oldest and Youngest Car, Long Distance Traveled, Hard Luck Award, Host's Favorite, etc. We have also been doing an Invader's Choice Award at the last few. It is all in good fun. We end the day with the Invasion Dinner. This is typically at a local restaurant, but we have had a catered meal at the Invasion sites or other local venues.

Sunday: Invasion Wrap-up

Sunday of Invasion weekend is way more relaxed. We typically gather back at the Invasion site in the morning for a little more story telling and car talk. We might do another Tech Session. We get feedback from folks (especially first timers) about their experience at the Invasion so we can continually work to make them better. We talk about future Invasion locations. We wrap up around lunch time with cleaning up the Invasion site and saying our farewells as folks hit the road home.

That is generally what an Invasion looks like. The "feeling" of an Invasion is much harder to describe. For Jill and I and many of the regulars, it is probably best described at a family reunion....with Type 3s as part of it. In my humble opinion, they is the best car-related events I have ever attended.

See you in Eau Claire!
_________________
Later,
John Jaranson
'66 Square (Sophy)
'67 Type 34 Karmann Ghia
'70-1 Fasty (Jane - the Lead Sled project)
'71 Westy (Sialia)
https://www.carartbyjohn.com
https://www.carartbyjohn.com/2026Invasion/

[vdubjiunkie]

Well gents, I'm about to make the push to see if this can be a possibility for me.

I'll be coming from Northwest Arkansas. I doubt anybody else will be coming from around me, but..

My loose plan right now would be to drive up on 6/24 and return 6/28.

I hope to meet some of the folks I've relied on for great information!
_________________
1964 Type 3 Notchback
1969 Karmann Ghia shell in need of full body off restoration
2004 WRX

"It Is Difficult to Get a Man to Understand Something When His Salary Depends Upon His Not Understanding It" - Upton Sinclair

[BSQUARE]

Count me in!
I'm about 2 hours from Eau Claire, and would like to caravan with anyone coming in from the west on I-94
_________________
1968 Regatta Blue Squareback
1967 Granada Red Squareback
1971 Rattle-Can Red Westfalia Camper

[jaransonT3]

Added some more Invaders to the list and map. Nearly at 30 with 8 months to go. Getting close to adding the host hotel and Invasion site location details to the website. Things are shaping up nicely.

Check out the Invaders Map and List and let me know if I missed you. More updates coming soon.

https://www.carartbyjohn.com/2026Invasion/Invaders2026.html
_________________
Later,
John Jaranson
'66 Square (Sophy)
'67 Type 34 Karmann Ghia
'70-1 Fasty (Jane - the Lead Sled project)
'71 Westy (Sialia)
https://www.carartbyjohn.com
https://www.carartbyjohn.com/2026Invasion/

[Max Welton]

I'm thinking of changing my 3-day route (waypoints in Kearney, Nebraska and Des Moines) to a more aggressive 2-day plan stopping in either Lincoln or Omaha.

My last long VW trip was the last Berg Cruise in 2006 so I don't have a current feel for what my body will do.

Are there any aircooled clubs or folks in any of those locations that might be up for a dinner meetup? That might sway me one way or another.

Max
_________________
1967 Type-3 Fastback
Under the Knife https://shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=151582
Home Stretch https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=767836

[jaransonT3]

Wow! 8 months until the Invasion. Our local hosts, Mary & Richard Spryer, have been working hard to get things lined up for us. While we are still a little over a month away from being able to finalize the reservation for the planned Invasion site, we do have a host hotel lined up and they are holding a block of rooms for us and are ready to take reservations. Jill and I have already made our reservation!

All the host hotel details have been added to the Invasion website along with a tentative schedule for the weekend, some maps showing the Invasion location, and a FAQ page. More details will be added as we get them finalized.

Keep checking the Invasion site for updates...
https://www.carartbyjohn.com/2026Invasion/index.html

See everyone in Eau Claire!
_________________
Later,
John Jaranson
'66 Square (Sophy)
'67 Type 34 Karmann Ghia
'70-1 Fasty (Jane - the Lead Sled project)
'71 Westy (Sialia)
https://www.carartbyjohn.com
https://www.carartbyjohn.com/2026Invasion/

[curtw_944]

the Wife and I may look at going for the weekend. We may not have our Squareback on the road yet. but this sounds like it would be fun.
_________________
So Many Hobbies,
So little time!!

[jaransonT3]

[Bobnotch]

[Max Welton]

[squaretobehip]

[curtw_944]

[Bobnotch]

[squaretobehip]