This was my first WaterFest - my cousin and I traveled all the way down to Englishtown, New Jersey (from southern NH) to see this show. The $20 it took to get in the gates was completely worth it. The 13 hour round-trip was completely worth it. Getting back home at 2am Monday morning and being a zombie at work was completely worth it. If you've ever thought about going... go. Go to the official web site for the date and hotels in the area, get directions, book a hotel (a couple of months in advance), make a list of of parts to look for at the used part vendor booths, grab your camera, and head on down. I recommend the Hilton in East Brunswick. Additionally, I suggest you stay away from the Doubletree Hotel in Somerset - I stayed there for the 2003 show, and it was the closest thing to Fawlty Towers that I've ever experienced. I used to travel for a living, and have experienced a LOT of hotels. The Doubletree in Somerset was a joke (a "hotel" in name only), and I don't feel the least bit guilty for saying so. Sucky hotels aside, I have had a great time both years that I have attended the 'Fest, and I plan on making it a tradition.

For me, the highlights of the show were that little silver Rabbit that ripped out an 11.38 quarter mile, and the green A1 Jetta from NY, which was later featured in Performance VW magazine, and then made a re-appearance at WaterFest 2003.