BUSES NOWHERE NEAR THE ARCH 

The excitement mounts as one by one the vintage Volkswagens of all eras and models stream into our campground on Mark Twain Lake to attend the BNNTA event.  You'll register as you arrive and perhaps pick up an event t-shirt.  The event camping fee is $35 for the entire holiday weekend per Volkswagen.  Then you'll find a spot to set up your VW camp for the weekend.  The event schedule is very relaxed today as most folks will be arriving at all hours and getting themselves situated.  Wander the campground and meet up with old and new friends!

Saturday is a busy day at BNNTA.

• 10:30 to 11 a.m.  A drivers meeting will be held for everyone that wants to go on the scenic backroads VW caravan over to historic Hannibal, MO.  Vehicles line-up and will take off at 11 am.

• 4 to 6 p.m.  All the campers will be busy walking the campground with ballots in hand checking out and deciding which VW Bus is the best in several categories, the most innovative Transporter, the most in need of repair, the best individual and group campsites, etc.  Votes are due by 6 p.m.

• 6:30 p.m. UPDATE!!!  One pandemic-related change that some of us recently discussed and decided to change for the upcoming BNNTA event concerns the  "Communal dinner(s)" that we have been doing on Saturday evenings the past two or three events.  It's been great fun and wildly successful, but the pandemic is going to alter it a little.  We have decided to be extra cautious and ask that you DO NOT prepare and provide a huge serving of your favorite dish for everyone else's consumption at the dinner.  What we would prefer is that you plan to cook only for yourself, your group or your family unit and bring it to the pavilion and enjoy your dinner among the other BNNTA participants.  It's a small change but until the pandemic is behind us it is a change we need to make to remain safe.

• 8:30 p.m.  Our BNNTA awards ceremony begins with trophies being handed out and lots of stories are told by participants for the competition for the best Hard Luck Story while leaving BNNTA the prior year or while arriving this year.  Lots of laughs with this one!

• 8:30 p.m. Throughout the awards ceremony lots and lots of door prizes will be handed out to the gathered campers.  If you have any Volkswagen related goodies and gifts to donate for the door prize drawing, please bring them along and drop them off with the registration staff!

• 9:30 p.m. "Lantern walk"  Assemble at the Pavillion with your vintage or new lanterns and join us for an enjoyable night tour of our BNNTA campground by the soft glow of many camping lanterns.  So bring your camping lanterns or just join us for the lantern walk.

Sunday is a laid back day.  No real schedule today.  Everyone will be relaxing, enjoying a dip in the Lake, walking around visiting each others Volkswagens and encampments, and enjoying the day.  It's a great chance to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. 

After another great weekend, everyone packs up camp and the goodbyes go on all morning as each Volkswagen and their crew starts their drive home.  There are some that linger for a little more time visiting and perhaps a last dip in the Lake.