What It’s Actually Like Attending Your First Porsche Parade
About this episode
Experience the massive scale and unique community of the Porsche Parade through the eyes of first-time attendees Steve and Marsha Busch. Fresh off a record-breaking gathering in Lake Placid, New York, the hosts and guests share what it is actually like to navigate this week-long event with over 2,600 entrants and 900 Porsches. From packing tips for a 991.2 Cabriolet to heartwarming stories of meeting young fans, this discussion demystifies the event's logistics and highlights why every Porsche owner should experience a Parade at least once.
Discover what it is like to experience your very first Porsche Parade through the eyes of long-time Treffen attendees Steve and Marsha Buss. After years of PCA events, the couple finally made the trip to Lake Placid for their first-ever Parade. In this episode, they share their candid first impressions on everything from the scenic drive up and the registration process to driving in events and exploring non-Porsche local attractions. We also dive deep into what it takes to open a Parade store for a week, the Cars and Community event, and the exclusive Porsche Parade Collection Pins. Plus, they share the unique thrill of dining at banquets hosted on the exact hockey rink where the legendary "Miracle on Ice" took place. Stick around until the end as we wrap up with the latest Porsche news and exciting updates on our upcoming videos.
Vu Nguyen
"Welcome to the Porsche Club Insider... Here's your host, Vu Gwin and the Insider crew."
Vu Nguyen is the head director of the Porsche Club of America, the world's largest club for Porsche owners. He helps run the club and hosts many of their videos and podcasts.
Vu Nguyen is the Executive Director of the Porsche Club of America (PCA). He frequently hosts PCA videos, podcasts, and national events, serving as a prominent public face of the club.
Porsche Parade
"Welcome everyone and we are back from a record setting Porsche Parade, Lake Placid, New York. Today we're going to share what it's really like attending your first Porsche Parade."
Porsche Parade is a massive, week-long annual party and convention for Porsche owners. People from all over the country drive their Porsches to a new host city each year to show off their cars, race them in safe parking lot courses, and hang out with other fans.
Porsche Parade is the annual national convention of the Porsche Club of America (PCA). It is a week-long gathering featuring competitive events like a concours d'elegance, autocross, rallies, technical sessions, and social banquets, drawing thousands of members from across North America.
Lake Placid
"Welcome everyone and we are back from a record setting Porsche Parade, Lake Placid, New York"
Lake Placid is a beautiful mountain town in upstate New York that hosted the Winter Olympics twice. It was chosen as the scenic location where thousands of Porsche club members gathered for their annual convention.
Lake Placid is a historic village in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, famous for hosting the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. It served as the picturesque host venue for the record-setting 2026 Porsche Parade.
Pirelli
"First I want to thank our presenting sponsor, Pirelli. Pirelli tires have to achieve the highest levels of performance, safety, noiselessness and grip on the road surface..."
Pirelli is a famous Italian company that makes high-performance tires, especially for sports cars and race cars. They are a major sponsor of Porsche events and design tires specifically to make Porsches handle as well as possible.
Pirelli is an Italian multinational tire manufacturer known for its high-performance tires and deep involvement in motorsport, including being the exclusive tire supplier for Formula 1. Pirelli works closely with Porsche to develop custom 'N-spec' tires tailored specifically to Porsche vehicle dynamics.
Porsche Club of America
"If you aren't currently a PCA member and own a Porsche, what are you waiting for? Grab that VIN, head over to PCA.org and make yourself a member."
The Porsche Club of America is a massive club for people who own or love Porsches. They organize fun drives, races, and social gatherings all over North America so members can enjoy their cars together.
Founded in 1955, the Porsche Club of America (PCA) is the largest single-marque car club in the world, catering to Porsche owners and enthusiasts. It organizes national events like the Porsche Parade and Treffen, as well as local region drives, autocrosses, and technical sessions.
Damon Lowney
"Of course I have Manny, Alvin, across from me, Damon's at the controls."
Damon Lowney is one of the hosts of the podcast who also runs the website and videos for the Porsche Club of America.
Damon Lowney is the Digital Media Coordinator for the Porsche Club of America and co-host of the PCA Insider podcast. He manages PCA's online content, editorial features, and video production.
Manny Alban
"Of course I have Manny, Alvin, across from me, Damon's at the controls."
Manny Alban is a Porsche expert who helps run the technical side of the Porsche Club of America. He knows almost everything about how Porsches work, how to fix them, and what they are worth.
Manny Alban is the Technical Director of the Porsche Club of America and a co-host of the PCA Insider podcast. He is an expert on Porsche history, maintenance, and vehicle values, often leading the 'What's My Porsche Worth?' segments at national events.
Treffen
"I would say, Steve and Marsha, I sort of see them as like the pro-Treffen land folks. And when we had you on earlier this year, I guess I never really thought about it, but you hadn't done a Porsche parade."
Treffens are smaller, more relaxed driving vacations organized by the Porsche club. Instead of competing in races or car shows, members spend a few days driving beautiful roads and eating at nice restaurants together.
Treffen (German for 'to meet') is a series of regional touring events organized by the Porsche Club of America. Unlike the massive, competition-heavy Porsche Parade, Treffens focus on scenic driving tours, local dining, and social camaraderie in resort destinations.
Porsche Panorama
"and his name is Benjamin Shahrabani, and he is a panorama contributor. But in my realm on PCA.org, he is our book reviewer."
Porsche Panorama is a high-quality monthly magazine sent to all members of the Porsche Club of America, filled with beautiful photos, stories, and news about Porsches.
Porsche Panorama is the official monthly magazine of the Porsche Club of America. It features high-quality journalism, car reviews, historical deep-dives, and technical advice, and is highly regarded as one of the finest club publications in the automotive world.
Jeep Cherokee
"... My first one was 96 in Oklahoma, Grand Lake, the Cherokees, I think. It was unique in that they moved it to ..."
The Jeep Cherokee is a sport utility vehicle (SUV) made by the American brand Jeep. It is designed to carry passengers and cargo while also being capable of driving on rough, unpaved roads.
The Jeep Cherokee, particularly the XJ generation produced from 1984 to 2001, is a legendary compact SUV credited with popularizing the modern sport utility vehicle segment. It featured a lightweight unibody design and a highly durable inline-six engine, making it a favorite for both daily commuting and off-roading. Later generations transitioned to more car-like crossover platforms before production ended.
Porsche 911 (991.2)
"So you took your cab? What did you do? You took the cab? Well, I mean, yeah. And it's a 991, right? 991.2. Yeah. So Baba Orange."
This is a specific version of the famous Porsche 911 sports car built between 2017 and 2019. It is special because it was the first time the standard 911 models got turbocharged engines to make them faster and more fuel-efficient.
The 991.2 generation of the Porsche 911, produced from 2017 to 2019, marked a historic shift by introducing twin-turbocharged engines to the standard Carrera models. It is highly regarded for balancing everyday usability with modern turbocharged performance.
Porsche Cayenne
"And so we had learned how to pack. I was very happy on this trip because I didn't have limitations on packing because I was driving. So and it was just me and the Cayenne plus a trailer."
The Cayenne is Porsche's large, sporty SUV. It is famous for being incredibly fast and fun to drive like a sports car, while still being able to tow heavy trailers and go off-road.
The Porsche Cayenne is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV that saved Porsche from financial ruin when it debuted in 2002. It proved that a sports car manufacturer could build a highly capable, high-performance SUV without losing its brand identity.
Porsche 356
"I brought half of my toolbox because I didn't know what was going to break. I wasn't sure which was going to break the 356 or the Cayenne."
The 356 was the very first car that Porsche ever sold to the public, starting in 1948. It is a small, lightweight, vintage sports car that is highly prized by collectors today.
The Porsche 356 was the company's first production automobile, featuring a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout in a lightweight, aerodynamic body. It established the design philosophy and engineering principles that would define the iconic 911.
Saturn Vue
"...ion who runs the store because she asked to, like Vue said, order just enough so we don't have a lot to..."
The Saturn Vue is a compact SUV that was made by Saturn, a former division of General Motors. It was designed as an affordable family vehicle for everyday driving.
The Saturn Vue is a compact crossover SUV produced by General Motors under the Saturn brand from 2001 to 2009. It was notable for using polymer dent-resistant body panels in its first generation and offering a variety of powertrains, including a Honda-sourced V6 and an early hybrid option. The model was discontinued when the Saturn brand was phased out.
Porsche Design
"Bacuda sir, I think most most everyone was very happy with the selection. Porsche design. She has a relationship with Porsche design to get official Porsche wear..."
Porsche Design is a sister company to the carmaker that designs high-end non-car products like watches, sunglasses, jackets, and luggage with a sleek, sporty look.
Porsche Design is a luxury lifestyle brand founded in 1972 by Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, the designer of the original Porsche 911. It creates high-end accessories, watches, apparel, and luggage that mirror the functional design philosophy of Porsche sports cars.
autocross
"You know why it's because they went they all went to the Thursday autocross or something and it took it took like two days to dry my shoes out."
Autocross is a safe, low-speed racing event held in large parking lots. Drivers take turns racing through a twisty course marked by orange traffic cones to see who can get the fastest time without hitting any cones.
Autocross is a form of motorsport where drivers compete individually to navigate a temporary course defined by traffic cones, typically set up on a large parking lot or runway. It emphasizes low-speed handling, driver precision, and car control over outright horsepower.
Volkswagen Golf
"and buy a gift from the gift store. Golf was very, very well represented there. Yeah. And ..."
The Volkswagen Golf is a small, practical hatchback car made by the German company Volkswagen. It is designed to carry passengers and cargo efficiently, making it popular for daily driving.
The Volkswagen Golf is a highly successful compact hatchback known for its practical design, solid build quality, and engaging driving dynamics. It has been a cornerstone of the Volkswagen lineup for decades, spawning iconic performance variants like the GTI and Golf R. The eighth-generation model represents the modern era of this classic nameplate with digital-forward interiors.
Chrysler Saratoga
"...p was super easy for you guys. Oh, and we went to Saratoga Springs. We love that town."
The Chrysler Saratoga is a sedan made by the American company Chrysler during various periods in the 20th century. It was built to carry families comfortably with a bit more luxury than standard cars.
The Chrysler Saratoga is a nameplate used by Chrysler on several different vehicles over the decades, most notably as a full-size luxury car in the mid-20th century and later as an export-market version of the Dodge Spirit in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It represents Chrysler's historic efforts to offer premium features in a more accessible segment.
Porsche 959
"In fact, I think I don't know if you have a picture of this, Damon, but the gentleman that brought the red 959 it was parked on the curb. That's pretty cool. 3000000 dollars just sitting on the curb."
The 959 was Porsche's ultimate supercar of the 1980s. It was packed with futuristic technology like adjustable suspension and a smart all-wheel-drive system, making it the fastest street-legal car in the world at the time.
The Porsche 959 was a technological tour de force of the 1980s, originally developed as a Group B rally car. It featured an advanced twin-turbocharged flat-six engine, sequential turbocharging, and a highly sophisticated all-wheel-drive system that paved the way for modern supercars.
concours d'elegance
"But we had breaks in the weather a number of times. I think that were kind of perfect. Like the Concord was not pouring rain. It was kind of misty."
A concours is an ultra-detailed car show where judges inspect cars with white gloves and flashlights. Owners spend days cleaning every nook and cranny—even the underside of the car—to make it look brand new.
A concours d'elegance is a prestigious car show competition where vehicles are judged on their historical accuracy, cleanliness, and overall condition. In PCA events, concours classes range from 'street' (cleanliness of visible areas) to 'full preparation' (undercarriage and engine bay perfection).
Ford F-150 Lightning
"...p come in from the top. But still we there wasn't lightning. So we still ran all the cars."
The Ford F-150 Lightning is a large pickup truck made by Ford that runs entirely on electricity instead of gasoline. It looks very similar to a standard gas-powered truck but does not produce tailpipe emissions.
The Ford F-150 Lightning is an all-electric full-size pickup truck that adapts America's best-selling vehicle platform into an EV. It features dual-motor all-wheel drive, a spacious front trunk (frunk), and the ability to export power to run tools, appliances, or even a home during an outage. It blends traditional truck capability with modern electric performance.
gimmick rally
"We were volunteering at the gimmick rally, getting Thursday, getting it set up, getting all the codes, lanes, getting everything organized and ready to go."
A gimmick rally is a fun road trip game. Drivers and passengers follow a scenic route and have to look for clues, solve riddles, or answer questions about things they see along the side of the road.
A gimmick rally is a fun, non-competitive road rally where participants follow a scenic route while solving puzzles, answering trivia questions, or looking for specific landmarks along the way. Unlike a TSD rally, it focuses on observation and entertainment rather than strict timing precision.
Porsche Panamera
"And she said, it's true. I said, is it really a Pat Americana or is it a Panamera? And he goes, it's a Panamera."
The Panamera is Porsche's large, luxury four-door sedan. It is designed for people who want the speed and handling of a Porsche sports car but need back seats and a trunk for daily use.
The Porsche Panamera is a front-engined, luxury four-door sedan/liftback introduced in 2009. It combines the high-performance handling of a Porsche sports car with the comfort and space of a premium executive cruiser.
Ferry Porsche
"I said, so it's the gift car. They gave to a fairy Porsche. I think it was a 70 or 75th birthday. And she said, that's the one."
Ferry Porsche was the son of the company's founder. He was the visionary who actually designed the first Porsche sports cars and built the company into the famous brand it is today.
Ferdinand Anton Ernst 'Ferry' Porsche was an Austrian technical automobile designer and automaker-entrepreneur who operated Porsche AG. He famously designed the Porsche 356 and steered the company to become a world-class sports car manufacturer.
Toyota Prius
"You were slow. You were the Prius in the fast line. Exactly."
The Toyota Prius is a mid-sized hatchback car that uses both a gasoline engine and an electric motor to save fuel. It is made by the Japanese automaker Toyota and is famous for its high gas mileage.
The Toyota Prius is a pioneering hybrid electric vehicle celebrated for its exceptional fuel efficiency and eco-friendly credentials. The fifth-generation model, introduced for the 2023 model year, significantly updated the car's image with a sleek, aerodynamic design and improved performance. It remains a benchmark for practical, low-emission transportation.
TSD rally
"Obviously, you're not going to do the TSD rally, but you can do the gimmick rally, you can do tours, I believe."
A TSD rally is a driving game where the goal is not to go as fast as possible, but to drive at very specific speeds so you arrive at secret checkpoints at the exact second you are supposed to.
Standing for Time-Speed-Distance, a TSD rally is a type of precision driving competition where teams (a driver and a navigator) must follow a set of route instructions at precise speeds to arrive at checkpoints exactly on time.
Porsche 968 Club Sport
"He was bringing a 9-6-8 club support to parade, but we knew he had a 50th, but we wanted all three club coops. So we scooped up the 9-6-8 club support for him, and he drove the 50th."
The 968 Club Sport is a rare, lightweight version of a 1990s Porsche. It was designed specifically for race tracks by removing heavy luxury items like back seats and radio equipment to make it handle incredibly well.
The Porsche 968 Club Sport is a track-focused, lightweight variant of the front-engined 968 transaxle sports car. It stripped out luxury features like rear seats and sound deadening to deliver one of the finest-handling front-engine chassis ever built.
Mobil 1
"the mobile one ran out of gas. The what? The mobile one station one day ran out of gas. Really? Because it was them and the other one, stewards."
Mobil 1 is a famous brand of high-quality synthetic motor oil. Porsche has used and recommended it in all of their cars from the factory for decades because it protects high-performance engines so well.
Mobil 1 is a brand of synthetic motor oil developed by ExxonMobil, which has been Porsche's factory-fill and recommended lubricant partner since 1996. The partnership ensures that Mobil 1 formulations are optimized for the high-thermal and mechanical demands of Porsche engines.
Mazda 3
"But my poor old Mazda 3 was confused for a bad rental car. That was hilarious."
The Mazda 3 is a small, reliable everyday hatchback or sedan that is fun to drive and highly practical.
The Mazda 3 is a popular compact car known for offering sportier driving dynamics, a more upscale interior, and better reliability than most of its economy-class competitors.
Mazda Speed
"...ile one in my Mazda, little Mazda 3. And it's got Mazda speed, second gen wheels. It's lowered."
The Mazdaspeed3 is a faster, high-performance version of the standard Mazda3 hatchback. It was built to offer sporty acceleration and sharp handling at an affordable price.
The Mazdaspeed3 is a high-performance hot hatchback produced by Mazda over two generations from 2007 to 2013. Based on the standard Mazda3, it featured a turbocharged 2.3-liter engine, a six-speed manual transmission, and a sport-tuned suspension, earning a reputation for wild torque steer and thrilling performance. It remains a favorite among sport compact enthusiasts.
4Runner Forerunner
"..., actually, this is my car. But weren't they in a forerunner? Like, they were in a forerunner or something."
The Toyota 4Runner is a rugged SUV made by Toyota that is built like a truck. It is designed to be highly capable of driving over rough off-road terrain and lasting for a very long time.
The Toyota 4Runner is a mid-size body-on-frame SUV renowned for its outstanding off-road capability, rugged durability, and high resale value. For the 2025 model year, Toyota introduced the long-awaited sixth-generation 4Runner, transitioning it to a modern turbocharged four-cylinder platform shared with the Tacoma. It remains one of the few true truck-based SUVs on the market.
Porsche Macan
"...udi. Hopefully they did do what they did with the Macan, where they make it a Porsche touch."
The Porsche Macan is a small luxury SUV made by Porsche. It is designed to offer the space of an SUV while driving more like a sporty car.
The Porsche Macan is a compact luxury crossover SUV that combines the brand's signature sports car performance with everyday utility. For the 2024 model year, Porsche introduced an all-new, fully electric second-generation Macan, which coexists alongside the original gasoline-powered model in some markets. It represents a major step in Porsche's transition toward electrification.
Cayenne Ev
"...t there would hardly anybody be interested in the Cayenne EV, and it was the complete opposite."
The Porsche Cayenne is a mid-sized luxury SUV made by Porsche. It combines the space and comfort of a family vehicle with the fast performance of a sports car.
The Porsche Cayenne is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV that saved Porsche from financial ruin when it debuted in the early 2000s by proving that an SUV could handle like a sports car. As of 2026, Porsche is actively preparing to launch an all-electric version of the Cayenne to sit alongside its updated hybrid and gasoline models. It continues to be a sales leader for the brand.
Werks Reunion
"Works Reunion Monterey is August 14th. The judge field is in fact sold out. Corral spots are still open."
Werks Reunion is a massive, fun car show just for Porsches. It takes place during famous car weeks in California and Florida, bringing together everything from multi-million dollar race cars to dirty, well-loved daily drivers.
Werks Reunion is a premier Porsche-only car show organized by the Porsche Club of America, held annually in Monterey, California, and Amelia Island, Florida. It celebrates both pristine concours-level Porsches and daily-driven outlaws, restomods, and custom builds in a relaxed, festive atmosphere.
Ünstock
"Oonstock, super excited about this. We will be the first organization to bring cars onto the Huntington Beach Pier."
Ünstock is a special car show for Porsches that have been modified or customized by their owners, rather than kept in original factory condition.
Ünstock is a PCA-organized event specifically celebrating modified Porsches, highlighting aftermarket tuning, custom builds, and personalized aesthetics. It provides a dedicated venue for enthusiasts who prefer modifying their cars over keeping them strictly stock.
Frank Jung
"Nathan Merz interviewed Frank Young, Porsche's archivist and historian. While he was driving Nathan's 928 and he had never driven a 928 before."
Frank Jung is the official historian for Porsche in Germany. He is in charge of the company's massive historical archives, keeping track of old blueprints, photos, and classic cars.
Frank Jung is the head of the Porsche Corporate Archive (Historian and Archivist at Porsche AG). He is responsible for preserving the historical heritage of the Porsche brand, managing historical documents, and supporting heritage-related events worldwide.
Porsche 928
"Nathan Merz interviewed Frank Young, Porsche's archivist and historian. While he was driving Nathan's 928 and he had never driven a 928 before."
The 928 was a futuristic-looking luxury sports car from the 70s, 80s, and 90s with a big V8 engine in the front. It was meant to replace the 911 as a more comfortable highway cruiser, though the 911 ultimately outlived it.
The Porsche 928 was a luxurious grand tourer powered by a front-mounted V8 engine, originally intended to replace the 911. It featured a futuristic design, a Weissach rear axle for passive rear-wheel steering, and exceptional high-speed cruising capabilities.
Porsche Boxster
"...video at the Autocross. If you want to see a spec boxster on semi-slicks in the rain. It should be a fun on..."
The Porsche Boxster is a two-seat convertible sports car made by Porsche. Because its engine is placed in the middle of the car rather than the front or back, it has very balanced handling.
The Porsche Boxster is a mid-engine, two-seat roadster known for its exceptional balance, precise handling, and open-top driving experience. In club racing, early generations (specifically the 986) are highly popular for 'Spec Boxster' class racing due to their affordable entry point and superb chassis dynamics. The model line is currently transitioning toward an all-electric future.
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