Okteenerfest has become an event you don’t want to miss.

Each year it seems like Okteenerfest gets larger. More 914s. More camaraderie. More fun. The annual Porsche 914 event, founded just a few years ago by Steve Schleif, Bob Saville, Mike Blizzard, and no Bill Dunster, has become one of the largest gatherings of 914s in the United States, and a highlight of many 914 enthusiasts’ year.

The first two years of the event were held in the Smokies. In 2015 the 914 “get-together” was moved east into the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. And in 2016 it again returned to Banner Elk, North Carolina. Rumors have it that it may be held back in the Smokies in 2017. We will have to wait to see.

This year the event carried its traditional format: Spirited driving through the mountains on Friday, the Saturday car show, and the Banquet Dinner Saturday evening with unbelievable vendor giveaways.

The festivities included over 60 914s and 100 attendees. The cars included 1.7s, 1.8s, 2.0 liters, a couple factory sixes, several six conversions, four LS-powerplants, a Subaru, and a rotary.

Each year the event features a particular 914 model or theme. In 2014 it was the Limited Edition Can Am 914s that received the attention. Last year the 914-6 GTs were the featured models. In 2016 the theme was the “End of an Era,” celebrating 40 years since the last 914 model year of 1976.

Regardless of the theme, the most rewarding part of attending Okteenerfest is the people. The event has a different feel than Hershey or some of the other Porsche car meetups. It is very laid back and provides a unique opportunity to really get to know other 914 enthusiasts. It is nice to be able to put faces on the names across the 914 community, and talk shop with the heavy-hitters. Given the 914’s long history of having an almost grassroots following, Okteenerfest serves as a special opportunity to extend that camaraderie. I can’t wait to see all of our 914 friends again next year.

People’s Choice Car Show classes:

STOCK

1st place – John Owad

2nd place – Lewis Broyles

3rd place – Betty Perrine

MODIFIED

1st place – Tom Collins

2nd place – Gabrielle Urgelles

3rd place – Bob Stilp

CUSTOM

1st place – Kelvin Knight

2nd place – David Adcock

3rd place – Mark Feightner

HERITAGE

1st place – Jamie Donaldson

2nd place – Jim Flanagan

3rd place – Mike Ruscitti

Earliest VIN

William Grier – 1970 914-6

Latest VIN

Brian Mulherin 1976

Newbie

Corey Shaffer – first 914 purchased in February 2016

Iron Butt

Clay and Betty Perrine – 1100 miles one way

Jack Stand

Chris Saba

Crimson Shaft

John Owad

Spirit of Okteenerfest

Clay and Betty Perrine