Village Volkswagen of Chattanooga prepares for three days of festivities as the dealership gears up for it grand-opening celebration in conjunction with Oktoberfest being celebrated at the First Tennessee pavilion.

“We already have had about 250 people that have RSVP’d,” said Dale Smith, general manager of the local VW dealership.

The ceremony will take place today at the dealership’s new location, 6001 International Drive, where food and refreshments will be served along with an authentic German band and Volkswagen officials.

Just before the German auto maker announced it would build a $1 billion auto assembly plant in the Scenic City, Village Volkswagen of Chattanooga built a new facility for both its VW and Audi models.

Mr. Smith said the announcement that Volkswagen will be building here will likely mean additional sales.

“With the total influx of workers, whether it is employees, their families or suppliers, they will be buying Volkswagens,” he said. “Everybody wants to be seen in a Volkswagen now. We already have that residual effect.”

Mr. Smith said the local Volkswagen Club will be organizing a parade of VWs on Saturday in an attempt to get into the Guinness Book of World records with the longest line of Volkswagens.

According to information provided by Scenic City Volks Folks, the parade will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday and kick off the Oktoberfest festivities.

“The event is open to any type of VW — air-cooled or water-cooled, new or old,” the information states. “Anything with a VW badge is welcome.”

Mr. Smith said the parade will gather at M.L. King Boulevard and will travel down Market Street.

The Oktoberfest celebration will begin following the parade with German food, music and beer, officials said.

For more information, visit www.volksfolks.org.

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