[4/14/2020] SoWo | Southern Wörthersee

SoWo | Southern Wörthersee

To all the younger enthusiast coming into the car scene, learning the ways of proper building is based on the scene that resonates with you. Whether it's stance or track, we are all drawn to the endless possiblities when designing and personalizing our rides.  With all the new European models coming out, we think about the times when hybrids were just concepts. As true European car enthusiast, we can’t forget the time when Southern Wörthersee made its home in Helen, Georgia. A place located in the Appalachian Mountains of Georgia. Where the icon wall is used to gain respectable rights in your photo/video shoots to show that “hey, I was there!” SoWo allows the US VAG fans to get a sliver of the original Wörthersee in Austria.

Preparing for SoWo meant dedicated work to getting your build to be car show ready. This means finishing the last fine peice of detail that makes all the difference, just before the deadline. Making sure you book hotel rooms a year in advance, because the attendance for this small town, large show, can reach quite outstanding numbers. Having seen 5000+ cars and 15000+ enthusiast all at one time. You can be sure to see more than just a few builds you’d admire.

SoWo made its grand appearance in 2006 and leaving with a bang in 2015. Now with a new home in Savannah, Georgia and respectfully receiving a new name of The European Experience (EuEx). The amount of people that would come to SoWo out numbered those that resided in the small town. Each year the show grew larger, and larger. Requiring more parking ground to host all the cars.

The amount of builds you came across, and the number of new family and friends you would have met was endless. With builds from common makes, to the ones that were rarer than others. All walks of life were centered in one location. As great as the common ground of admiring builds, SoWo also had a night life. Cars everywhere, people everywhere. Smoke from tires burning out on the pavements, flash from photography going off. Of course, those that aren’t in a motorized vehicle, were enjoying drinks and having a blast. Its tough to put to words how great a show this was. For all the newer enthusiast coming, do yourselves a favor and watch all the after movies and recaps from Southern Wörthersee through YouTube or any other video host.

In May of 2015, yes, the same time as the show being held, SoWo was not granted approval to return in 2016, ending an iconic show. Many residents believed the show was great for business and economical purposes. Especially with how small the town is and being truly a tourism place. Although economics sound great, it was the moral reasons behind residents who didn’t want the show to return. Traffic problems, damage, and all other issues that a small amount of people caused, lead to decisions to end. With the numbers rising as quickly and largely as they did, unfortunately the ultimate feedback was that the town could not sustain to host 23,000 people.

SoWo is still alive through The European Experience, in Savannah, Georgia. Which is still a great hosted event, but make sure you get a chance to go to Helen, to just experience the iconic scene that is provided.

• UPDATE: SoWo-n't be approved in Helen for 2016. (2015, May 20). Retrieved April 14, 2020, from https://accesswdun.com/article/2015/5/311557/sowo-nt-be-approved-in-helen-for-2016 

• Barrett, P. (2020, April 1). Alpine Volks Fair an Awesome VW Show in Helen GA. Retrieved from https://www.shopdap.com/blog/post/alpine-volks-fair-2020.html 

• Southern Wörthersee 7 - European Car Magazine. (2013, October 10). Retrieved from http://www.superstreetonline.com/event-coverage/car-shows/1310-southern-worthersee-7/