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Unleashing Adventure, Camaraderie, and Automotive Excellence on the Open Road

By Craig Shanklin

There’s something thrilling about sliding into the driver’s seat of your Porsche, feeling the pulse of its engine through the steering wheel, and pointing its nose toward new horizons. For many Porsche owners, this might be a local drive or attending a nearby Cars and Coffee. We all know our car is more than just a means of transportation—it’s a symbol of refined engineering, performance, and a close-knit community. However, taking your Porsche out for an extended road trip…hundreds of miles… is something very different. It isn’t merely about getting from A to B; it’s about experiencing a journey…an adventure… savoring each curve of the road, and embracing the camaraderie that comes with being a part of a passionate automotive family.

Nowhere is this spirit more alive than at the annual PCA Porsche Parade—an eagerly anticipated event that brings together several thousand Porsche club members from every corner of the nation….including Porsche family members and Porsche company executives from Europe. This year, the 69^th annual Parade, found its home in Oklahoma City (July 6-12, 2025), offering a unique blend of vibrant city life, open plains, great driving and Southern hospitality. Everyone was impressed with Oklahoma City and vowed to return for a longer visit. Combining a long road trip with attendance at the Porsche Parade is not just an adventure; it’s a celebration of all that makes Porsche ownership so rewarding. Five PCA members…Craig & Di Shanklin, Stuart & Janet Shanklin and Lonnie Roy… from Southern Utah drove over 2500 miles to attend the 2024 Porsche Parade and all of its various driving activities. Several other couples from Las Vegas also attended including Fred & Pam Lydick along with Dave & Jan Sunderhaft who entered their beautiful 968 in the concours. It was a trip of a lifetime for most.

After leaving Southern Utah and driving through Kanab, Page, Albuquerque and Amarillo on a fun two-day 1100-mile drive we arrived in Oklahoma City. The host hotel for over 1000 Porsches was the new Omni Hotel, in downtown OKC, surrounded by beautiful parks and a totally re-imagined downtown. It was a spectacular setting. During the next seven days we attended parties, dinners, lectures and worked shifts as volunteers. We had daily tours to fabulous museums and other great destinations. One highlight was the chance for an insiders tour of the massive Goodyear tire plant in Lawton…the largest in the world….almost 1 mile in length. While public tours are not offered here, a senior executive and PCA member worked to allow Parade attendees the chance to visit this amazing facility and learn all about performance tires. We also were there for the unveiling of the new PCA Club Coupe…celebrating 70 years of PCA…with only 70 copies available for PCA members to purchase. During the week of parade there are over 50 events and activities including an art show, 5K run, concours, TSD rally, autocross and even a very challenging (but fun!) gimmick rally. Many events and tours took advantage of Route 66, The Mother Road which opened in 1926, and runs through central Oklahoma. It doesn’t’ get much better than cruising long stretches of Route 66 in a Porsche. The week ends with the traditional “Porsche Parade” a non-stop line of Porsches snaking through the city, lead by local police, to the amazement, smiles and big waves of all the local residents…the PCA way of saying “Thank-you” to Oklahoma City as the week ends and we all return home.

The Porsche Parade is more than just a gathering; it’s the highlight of the Porsche Club of America’s calendar and a celebration of automotive passion. Hosted in a different city each year…next year it is in Lake Placid New York and in Boise, Idaho in 2027… the Parade brings together hundreds of Porsche owners and enthusiasts for a week of events, competitions, and social gatherings. In Oklahoma City, the Parade took on a distinctive flavor, blending the city’s thriving arts scene, renowned cuisine, and friendly Midwestern charm.

One of the greatest joys of attending the Parade is meeting like-minded individuals who share your enthusiasm. Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a Parade veteran, you’ll find open arms and warm smiles everywhere you turn. The event fosters a spirit of camaraderie and mutual respect, with opportunities to swap stories, share maintenance tips, and forge new friendships. For many, these connections endure long after the event, serving as the foundation for road trips, club activities, and lifelong bonds. There are so many magical moments during a Parade…like Hans-Peter Porsche climbing into the frunk of a 911 to sign the hood of a members beloved Porsche. Hans-Peter’s son and grandson also attended the Parade.

At the Parade, your Porsche takes center stage. The event features concours competitions that reward meticulous care and preservation, as well as autocross and driving challenges that let your car’s performance shine. There’s something uniquely satisfying about lining up with other Porsches—classic and modern, rare and beloved—and knowing that every vehicle is appreciated for its individuality and the care its owner has lavished upon it.

The Parade is also a chance to expand your knowledge. Technical seminars, workshops, and guided tours offer insights into Porsche history, engineering, and maintenance. Experts and fellow club members are on hand to answer questions and share their expertise. Whether you’re eager to tackle a DIY project or simply want to deepen your appreciation for the brand, the Parade is an educational as well as a social experience.

As memorable as attending a Porsche Parade can be…just taking a longer road trip…to any destination…like the LVR Idaho Tour in September…can be a new…and amazing experience for most. Many owners describe their Porsches as living, breathing companions. A longer trip offers time to deepen that connection. As the miles pass, you become even more attuned to the subtle hum of the engine, the way your car responds to your touch, and the seamless way it devours the road. You will never tire of the constant questions about your car at every gas stop. A road trip is also the perfect occasion to learn more about your vehicle’s capabilities—its handling in various weather conditions, its comfort on extended drives, and its ability to carry you and your essentials with ease. Road trips provide a canvas for unforgettable memories. Whether you’re traveling solo, with a partner, or as part of a convoy of fellow Porsche enthusiasts, the shared experiences along the way become stories you’ll tell for years to come. Rest stops at quirky roadside attractions, impromptu photo sessions with your car against stunning backdrops, and friendly conversations with strangers who recognize the iconic badge—all these moments enrich the journey and add new chapters to your Porsche adventure vibrant community.

Taking your Porsche on a road trip to the Porsche Parade is more than an exercise in driving—it’s a rite of passage for anyone passionate about our remarkable cars. It’s about rediscovering the thrill of the road, bonding with your vehicle, exploring new places, and, most importantly, joining a celebration that honors the past, present, and future of Porsche ownership. Pack your bags, fuel your sense of adventure, and set your sights on a long road trip…possibly to the next annual Porsche Parade—it’s a journey you’ll never forget.