Hippie Limo: The Area’s Premier Retro Ride
Perhaps you love the 60s, or maybe you want a splash of color and a one-of-a-kind retro accessory for your occasion; whatever the case, the Hippie Limo is for you. Our vintage 1965 Volkswagen Microbus is the icon of an era and boasts classic and original features such as two rows of skylight windows and a five-foot open-air canvas sunroof. The one modern touch in this amazing time capsule is a high end sound system that provides a great soundtrack to the experience. Transport you, your guests, and anyone looking your way to another time with a ride in the Hippie Limo.
Our Service
The Hippie Limo provides limousine service for:
- Weddings & Commitments
- Formals & Quinceañeras
- Date Nights
- Nights (or Days) on the Town
- Concerts
- Beer, Wine & Spirits Tours
- Birthdays & Anniversaries
- Bachelor & Bachelorette Parties
- Reunions & Celebrations
- Promotion or Event Displays
- Parades & Shows
- Benefits & Fundraisers
- Photography or Film opportunities, and more . . .
Click on each link above to learn more. Please note that the Hippie Limo is in service from April 1st through October 31st in the Denver and Boulder areas.
Learn and See More
Check out our Limo Packages & Rates and Beer, Wine & Spirits Tours to learn what we offer. You can reserve a ride or ask us a question through Contact & Booking. Otherwise you can learn more about The Hippie Limo using the links below:
- Check out our activities in Current Events & Musings on the right sidebar.
- See more of the Hippie Limo in the Photo Gallery.
- Be inspired by pictures of celebrations featuring other vintage VW limos on Pinterest.
- Take a look at The Experience to see what a ride is like in our classic limo.
- Go over to In the Press to see what the blogosphere and press are saying about us.
- Find reviews on our service at Wedding Wire.
- Visit our YouTube Channel to see videos of our Samba in action.
- Follow us on Twitter if you want real time updates on our adventures.
- Like us on Facebook and make a friend smile!
Keep Boulder Weird (Make Denver Weirder): Ride in the Hippie Limo!
A Retro VW Bus Limo Alternative to the Ho-hum Hummer
The Hippie Limo begins its third season providing one of the most eye-catching, memorable, and just plain fun rides for weddings, formals, quinceañeras, and other special occasions in the Denver & Boulder areas. With its beautiful showroom-quality restoration and iconic appearance, our vintage 1965 VW Samba Microbus is that one-of-a-kind accessory and splendid centerpiece that will add pizazz to your celebration and pop to your photographs.
See for yourself the wonderful time our guests have had cruising in our classic WayBack machine, read the stories behind the amazing photos, take a look at the Hippie Limo’s cousins in the US and overseas, and be inspired by their beautiful images of couples and groups enjoying the vintage VW craze sweeping the UK. Ready to make some memories of your own? Check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Spirits Tours and book your Magic Carpet Ride today!
Keeping Boulder Weird (Making Denver Weirder)
If you like our microbus and are passionate about supporting small, local businesses (or in this case, one local micro-business), consider taking a few moments to earn some instant karma by spreading the word about the Hippie Limo using the simple actions below. If you’d like to know a bit more about the minds and hearts behind the Hippie Limo before lending us a hand (as well you should), please take a look at our About Us page.
*Take One Groovy Minute*
The steps below will help spread the word about us in a way that our dozens of dollars in operating capital cannot. Even if you’re not local or don’t know anyone in the market for a cool ride like ours, doing these things will definitely help our business grow!
- Like us on our Facebook page and take a moment to post a brief status update about us on your wall. Something simple like: Check out this groovy VW Bus limo for weddings and proms! http://hippielimo.com
- Follow us on Twitter @HippieLimo to keep up with our latest adventures and Tweet your friends about us. Perhaps: A VW Bus Limo? Crazy! @HippieLimo
- Follow us on Pinterest and see our ever-growing collection of pinned photos from special occasions around the world featuring vintage VWs. Consider also pinning us on your page or board.
- Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to see our (hopefully) growing collection of videos on our rides.
- Explore the links that describe our activities on our main page, see the sort of fun we can bring to any occasion, and pass on the stories you like using the Sharing buttons at the bottom of each page.
- Turn to the person next to you or pause a moment with the next person you see and tell them about this cool business you just found out about.
If nothing else, we guarantee you’ll make family, friends, colleagues, and complete strangers smile!
*Take Five Far-Out Minutes*
Getting a high ranking in search engine results through Google, Bing, Yahoo!, and others is important to helping people learn about our business. Most companies pay to have high rankings based on keyword strings like “denver limo.” A free way to get higher search result rankings is to have lots of people enter the same keyword strings that other companies pay for, ask those people to scroll and skim through the pages of results until they find your link, and then have them click on it. Well, that is what this karma-building activity is about.
Visit Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and enter a keyword string from a line below into the Search box. Move through the search results until you find us then click on our page link. Return to the search engine and start again with the next line. If you are really looking for major karma brownie points, do this for all three search engines.
- Classic Limo Denver
- Classic Limo Boulder
- Vintage Limo Denver
- Vintage Limo Boulder
- Wedding Limo Denver
- Wedding Limo Boulder
- Limo Denver
- Limo Boulder
Note: Even if we are at or near the top of your search results, please click on our link anyway to help hold our place in the rankings.
Peace, Love & The Hippie Limo
Thank you so much for taking time to learn about our service. Double thanks with a cherry on top if you took the time to earn some groovy and far-out karma. If you are curious to know all that we do to market our business, take a look at my blog post How to Market a Hippie Limo 101. We hope to see you on the road!
Miles of Smiles!
Richard Blake – Owner, Operator, Mechanic, Enthusiast (and full-time dad of two)
richard.alan.blake@gmail.com
The Hippie Limo Donates Magical Mystery Tour Packages to Local Charities
The Hippie Limo believes that it is both a responsibility and a privilege to support its local community. In particular, we feel very much drawn to organizations that help children and under-privileged and distressed families. That is why we have donated several three-hour Magical MysteryTour packages to local fundraisers for their silent and live auctions.
Take a look below at the organizations we have donated to and consider supporting them through monetary and volunteer opportunities.
Children’s Hospital Foundation
Children are among our most precious resources as well as the most vulnerable. Because of this we have donated four packages to support each of the following Children’s Hospital fundraisers. To find these events and others follow this link to the Children’s Hospital Foundation’s events calendar.
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Caruso Family Charities Gala – March 2, 2013
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Children’s Hospital Colorado Gala – October 5, 2013
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Creating Ties Burn Camps Dinner – November 1, 2013
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Morgan Adams Concours d’ Elegance – August 24, 2013
The Children’s Museum of Denver
Engaging children’s minds, supporting their creativity, growing their curiosity, and inspiring their minds are among the best ways to help children grow mentally and personally. Check out the Children’s Musem of Denver’s events calendar.
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Children’s Museum 40th Birthday Bash – May 31, 2013
Sister Carmen Community Center
Sister Carmen is a non-religious family resource center supporting individuals and families in East Boulder County. We volunteer and donate to this organization regularly. You can learn more about the Sister Carmen Community Center on their home page.
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The Big Event 2 – April 6, 2013
Consider learning more about these events as well as other opportunities to support you own favorite charities and organizations.
More Benefits & Fundraisers!
Curious about the fun we have had with the Hippie Limo? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Benefits & Fundraisers for a complete rundown of all of our related activities
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images groups have shared
- Be inspired by pictures from celebrations around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your special occasion!
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Did you attend one of these events? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
The Hippie Limo Prepares for its 2013 Season with Adam’s Premium Car Care and the VWEC Show & Shine
People who love cars check their schedules (and occasionally make abrupt turns) whenever they spot an auto club’s “Show & Shine” event. For those unfamiliar with this pilgrimage for car aficionados, a Show & Shine is where owners of remarkable classic and modern vehicles gather in public alongside casual observers to admire each others’ rides, learn how to add that extra sparkle to a shine, bring back life to a faded finish, or fix blemishes made while attempting any of the above.
If you want to take the experience of a Show & Shine to a whole new level, make it a point to attend an event hosted by Adam’s Premium Car Care, a purveyor of the finest (and arguably the most dummy-proof) exterior and interior car cleaning and polishing products made in the USA. The company’s president and founder, Adam Pitale, is a master detailer and apparent stand-up comedian whose informative, entertaining, and interactive presentation on revitalizing and maintaining your car’s finish turns any show and shine into a Shine with a Show!
During his detailing clinics, Adam calls upon 20+ years of experience, an impressive combination of industry knowledge, product awareness, and daily practice, as well as possible insights into the little-known apocryphal auto polishing references in the Dead Sea Scrolls, to provide both novice and nuanced detailers with an array of tips, tricks, and techniques. Not only will Adam show his audience what to do while using a real customer’s car as an example, he will give them the chance to practice what he preaches by asking volunteers to step up and get true hands-on experience with his products and processes under his guidance.
The Hippie Limo had the chance to experience all of this first-hand at Adam’s German Made Detail Clinic and Auto Show, co-hosted by the Volkswagen Enthusiasts of Colorado (VWEC). As part of our preparations for our new season of adventures as well as our membership in the VWEC, I took our Samba to Adam’s World Headquarters in Louisville, CO for his clinic and was so impressed by what I saw that I decided to leave the Hippie Limo in the capable hands of his staff for a nose-to-decklid auto spa day.
If you want to experience one of these clinics for yourself check out the Events page at the Adam’s Premium Car Care website. If your schedule is a bit tight you can have the virtual experience of meeting Adam and learning from him and his staff on his Videos page where you will find dozens of professional-quality video tutorials that will help you rejuvenate (or even resuscitate) your car’s finish on your own. The company’s Forums page provides a great way to interact with Adam’s staff and other amateur and professional detailers to get and share advice over the inter-webs. To purchase any of Adam’s products you can go to his Online Store or visit the company’s Dealer page to find a local retailer. (I get my Adam’s fix at McGuckin Hardware in Boulder.)
More Parade & Show Adventures!
Curious about the fun we have had with the Hippie Limo? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Parades & Shows for a complete rundown of all of our related activities
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images groups have shared
- Be inspired by pictures from celebrations around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Jim’s 70th Birthday at Frog Belly Farm: Longmont, CO – 10/27/2012
Cheryl and Jim Hogan saw the Hippie Limo at the June G’Knight Ride in Longmont’s inspirational Prospect New Town. We were beside The Daily Cake, a cupcake company based in Longmont. This spot gave us the opportunity to get the attention of vintage VW fans and those with a sweet tooth for quality confections. Unbeknownst to Jim, the moment Cheryl saw us she was inspired to include the Hippie Limo in her husband’s upcoming 70th birthday celebration.
The theme for the party was the 60′s, and the location was Frog Belly Farm, a local all-natural, organic farm committed to restoring the bond between people, food, and nature. Cheryl wanted the Hippie Limo to collect her husband, select family and friends, and herself at their house and take a short cruise before arriving at the venue. When I stopped in the driveway and shut off the engine I could hear whoops of laughter rise from the house. Shortly I saw Jim open the front door. He was wearing a tye dye bandanna, a hand-weaved vest, a shirt bearing the imprint of a split-window bus, and a smile.
He walked up to me, gave me a firm hand shake as we exchanged introductions, and off-handedly remarked, “Well, that’s just about right” nodding in the direction of bus. I agreed and told him that our Samba has been restored to exactly as it sat on the dealer floor in 1965, every color, fabric, and trim . . . with the exception of a 1000-watt sound system. That prompted another smile from his kind face. Soon the family had filed out of the home, each in their own take on 60′s garb. There were more than a few photo flashes before we managed to board and begin our journey to Frog Belly Farms, but each shot was a piece of gold (as you can see from a selection of them below).
The route was pretty much split evenly between paved and dirt roads, and my guests got to feel the difference between modern and vintage suspension systems quite personally (one of the reasons I do not allow beverages in the Hippie Limo – what feels like going over a pebble in modern car feels more like a boulder in a bus). When we made our grand entrance at the farm there was only one person lingering at the door to the barn where the party was to take place. I saw the loiterer’s eyes blossom wide when he saw us and then quickly open the door and shout inside. In less time than it took for me to stop and come around to the passenger side to open the doors a crowed had gathered.
Each party-goer was dressed in a version of 60′s clothing, from full-on hippie to swingin’ ultra mod. Both Abbie Hoffman and Dean Martin would have been proud of the wardrobe selections. The crowd slowly transition from bashful to bold as they posed for pictures next to our Microbus along with Jim and Cheryl. Drinks began flowing freely and the scent from the outdoor smoker signaled that the real party was about to begin. I again shook Jim’s hand, wished him a happy 70th birthday, and commented that I hoped I would look as good as him when my 60th birthday came!
More Birthday & Anniversary Adventures!
Curious about the fun others have had with the Hippie Limo? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Birthdays and Anniversaries for a complete rundown of all of our related activities
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images groups have shared
- Be inspired by pictures from celebrations around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Myah’s Sweet 16 Birthday Celebration – 10/27/2012
Myah’s mother Pam called me about a month ago and began the conversation with, “My daughter Myah loves everything about the 60′s! She and her friends are an eclectic bunch and I think it would be great to surprise them with a ride in Hippie Limo for Myah’s 16th birthday.” I asked Pam what sort of ride she had in mind. After a long pause she said, “Let me get back to you on that.”
A week or so later Pam called back with a great idea. She would take her daughter and her friends to the downtown Denver edition of The Cheesecake Factory for dinner followed by a visit to the best, scariest haunted house her husband could find – Denver’s very own The Asylum. When I arrived to pick up the gang for their evening out I could see that Pam had done a very good job of keeping the Hippie Limo a surprise. “Ohh myyyy GAWD!” exclaimed Myah. “No way! That is so cool!” echoed her friends. A quick glance at the smile on Pam’s face confirmed that she felt rewarded by the crowd’s reaction. While the girls were exploring the bus I loaded the bags containing Myah’s birthday presents into the back of our Samba. I couldn’t help but notice that one of the gift bags had an imprint of The Avengers on it. Yet again confirmation that only people with the best tastes choose to ride in the Hippie Limo.
The evening went by extremely fast despite it being a four-hour booking. It was filled with good tunes and joyful laughter. I discovered that Pam was right about her daughter’s tastes. Before meeting Myah I cannot say I would have imagined a 16-year-old who could carry on a discussion with her peers about the unique sounds of Cream or the merits of Eric Clapton, not to mention one who would immediately recognize Donovan and know all the words to Sunshine Superman. At the end of the evening I let the birthday girl and each of her friends take a moment to pose behind the wheel of the Hippie Limo for photos before I headed home from what was the final gig for the Hippie Limo’s 2012 season. I considered how fortunate I had been to have given these young women a chance to experience a bit of the era that they apparently appreciated so much.
More Birthday & Anniversary Adventures!
Curious about the fun others have had with the Hippie Limo? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Birthdays and Anniversaries for a complete rundown of all of our related activities
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images groups have shared
- Be inspired by pictures from celebrations around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Wagner Family Reunion & Mark’s 60th Birthday: Golden, CO – 10/20/2012
James contacted me in July to reserve the Hippie Limo for what I knew was going to be the most rewarding ride of the season. James, his eight brothers and sisters, their father, and some friends were planning a reunion in their home town of Golden, CO to coincide with their brother Mark’s 60th birthday. The plan was for everyone to spend a day revisiting all the places that had played an important part in the family’s history and hearts. It was a plan with a twist.
The Wagner family’s primary transportation for many years was a split-window VW Microbus similar to our Samba. Their bus was piloted first by their father and then by several children in succession as they received their respective learner’s permits and licenses. As is the case with most families who have grown up with an air-cooled v-dub as an extended family member, many of the Wagner’s fondest memories often included their bus, sometimes as a center-stage lead, other times as a minor supporting character. It was James’ thought that any driving tour of their family’s old haunts would have to take place in a VW bus like the one their dad ferried them around in.
James’ first question to me after presenting his plan was, “How many passengers does your bus hold?” I felt my heart sink as I responded, “Only six.” I could not imagine a better or more fulfilling day for the Hippie Limo than taking the Wagners on a reminiscence tour in the very kind of vehicle that had shuttled them around 50 years ago, but I didn’t see how I could accommodate them all. “Hmmmm,” James said as he turned over an idea emerging in his mind, “I guess I’ll hire another van to follow along behind and we’ll stop every now and then to change out people.” Now that, folks, is a man of foresight and vision.
I found myself counting down the days until October 20th, and then ticking off the hours of that morning until 1:00 when I was scheduled to pick up the Wagner clan following their lunch at the Blue Canyon Grill. While waiting for the group to emerge from the restaurant I had the opportunity to meet the driver of the “overflow” van. Her name was Bonnie and she was a long time family friend who had agreed to pick up the modern, full-size passenger van that Mark had rented to track along behind the Hippie Limo. I learned from Bonnie that nearly all of the family had moved away from Golden some time ago, and that only recently two of the brothers had returned to the area. “It’s amazing that they were able to pull this all together,” she said, “but here they are!” And with that observation we both received the message to pull into the alleyway behind the Blue Canyon and pick up our nostalgic revellers.
I am fairly sure that the Wagners and their friends were already well-informed about the part our WayBack machine was going to play in their day, but despite their foreknowledge their faces beamed with nothing less than joyful disbelief and stunned exuberance when the Hippie Limo arrived. It was as if the sight of our Samba had popped the cork on a fresh bottle of fond memories and everyone was raising up a cup to share in them. I opened the Samba’s doors and stood aside to let the family explore the interior and was rewarded with an excited rush of many voices in different conversations recalling moments in their lives that had taken place in or around their bus. One memory in particular that stood out to me was that of a younger sister who pointed to the small, raised cargo area over the engine in the back of the bus. Through equal measures of tears and giggles she recalled being a baby and having been placed in a makeshift crib there during family trips to St. Louis. Another sister commented that she just wanted to smell the bus and let the memories wash over her.
Amid all of the story telling one of the family members produced a stack of shirts and brochures and began distributing them to the group. Guffaws and cackles erupted as people realized that the shirts were baseball jerseys that bore the numbers 6 and 0 (for Mark, the birthday boy), and that each number was filled to the edges with expertly cropped family photos. The brochure featured pictures of Mark in his pre-CPA youth and a list of all of the locations the family would be revisiting during the reunion drive. After a short exercise in herding cats, the family was sorted between the two vehicles and the tour began. Though I had faithfully entered and ordered all of the addresses and stops into my GPS a few nights before, I learned quickly that no guidance system can track the well-worn travel routes favored by a family’s collective memory. I turned off the GPS and let the family be my guide.
The tour consisted of drive-bys of several schools and parks that the children had gone to over the years, as well as slow cruises around the houses and neighborhoods that the family had called home at one time or another. On the short list of places the group actually planned to stop was the family’s very first home in Golden, situated on Table Drive. I imagine the area’s Neighborhood Watch received a bit of an unexpected jolt upon seeing two buses pull up and disgorge over a dozen people, most wearing matching shirts, who immediately began inspecting and surveying the area with the crime-scene-like intensity that only adults returning to a childhood home and neighborhood can project. After a short time exploring, the Wagner clan gathered together on the curb in front of the old family home for a group photo before once again loading into the vehicles. As fate would have it, just as we were about to leave for the next destination an SUV pulled up and into the driveway of the former Wagner residence. A small, unsuspecting family got out and headed towards their front door.
I felt the hairs on the back of my neck bristle as two separate but distinct desires quickly charged the air inside our Samba and in the other passenger van. A family united only moments ago was in a sudden and utterly silent struggle of wills between those planning to stay seated and drive to the next place and those plotting to pop out of the vans as quickly as possible, catch the new family before they could reach the safety of their home, and explain that “We used to live here and we were wondering if you wouldn’t mind letting us in to look around.” As is usually the case, the plotters set the pace for the planners. In a few moments even the more reserved family members joined the boulder ones already at the doorstep for a tour of the old homestead. Fifteen minutes later found both sides reconciled as they emerged from the house talking about what they remembered and what had changed. The point on which all agreed: Everything seemed so much smaller than they remembered it.
We continued on to the other parts of the tour, pausing now and then to switch out passengers and once to allow the family to stop at the Lakewood Bar & Grill, an old favorite watering hole, to partake of something called “Birthday Cake Shots.” When we reached the end of the tour and returned to downtown Golden I felt both inspired and grateful to have met a family that shared such a strong connection to each other and to their home. In the four hours we travelled together I do not think we passed a single structure or even geographic feature that did not evoke a deluge of wonderful memories. Nor was there ever a moment of silence in our Microbus. If everyone wasn’t sharing memories they were sharing the chorus to the songs on the Hippie Limo’s sound system . . . with delightful results.
Before driving away I encouraged the family to come together for one final photograph featuring their father in the driver’s seat of our Samba. As you see from that photo and the others, October 20th was a great day for reliving old memories and making new ones. I am so happy that the Hippie Limo was there to add to their joy. Happy birthday Mark and happy reunion Wagner clan.
More Birthday, Anniversary & Reunion Adventures!
Curious about the fun others have had with the Hippie Limo? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Birthdays and Anniversaries and Reunions and Celebrations for a complete rundown of all of our related activities
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images groups have shared
- Be inspired by pictures from celebrations around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Miriah & Dale’s Wedding: The Chapel at Red Rocks and The Curtis Hotel – 10/19/2012
The Hippie Limo has long been hoping for a chance to visit the ultra-swank, mid-century mod The Curtis Hotel in downtown Denver. Miriah’s call asking the Hippie Limo to ferry her and her bridesmaids from The Curtis to The Chapel at Red Rocks in Morrison, CO and back was just the opportunity we had been waiting for.
Miriah’s call came as I was walking with my children to the local Isabelle Farm to pick some carving pumpkins as part of the day’s art project. She told me that she was thrilled to have found the Hippie Limo and couldn’t wait to have it as part of her wedding. “The pictures,” she said, “were going to be amazing.” When I pulled up to The Curtis to await Miriah and her entourage I found myself in line behind three stretch limos waiting to take Miriah’s guests up to the beautiful and intimate Chapel at Red Rocks for the wedding ceremony. A few last-minute arrangements and wardrobe checks along with a couple of wonderful photo ops meant that we were heading away from The Curtis well after the other limos had departed. However, we somehow still managed to arrive at the venue a good ten minutes before them.
As I helped Miriah out of our Samba I noticed her fine selection of shoes for the occasion, a pair of white, purple, and orange Nikes. She smiled at me and remarked, “There’s no reason why a bride should be uncomfortable on her wedding day, is there?” I couldn’t agree more. While the wedding party prepared and the guests milled about outside, I took advantage of a small cloister alongside the chapel to sit, reflect, and read a book. The ceremony was short and benefited from one of the most amazing views of the Red Rocks themselves I have seen short of the Red Rocks Trading Post within the park. Miriah, her new husband Dale, and their photographer were in our Microbus quick as a flash (if you’ll pardon the pun) to travel up the road a short ways from the chapel to take advantage of the fading light for a few more photos.
As quick as we were up we were back down at the chapel and saddling up for the ride back to The Curtis for the reception. Though the booking was for the standard three-hour minimum, I felt like the whole affair had been a whirlwind of activity. Our best wishes to the new couple in their lives together.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Juliet’s Sweet 16 Birthday – 10/1/2012
Juliet’s mom Cathy was looking for something special to do for her daughter’s Sweet 16 birthday. She decided she would give Juliet a special night-on-the-town with her friends in Boulder, but somehow getting there via a ride in the family SUV just didn’t seem to have that special touch. Enter the Hippie Limo! One call and Cathy had booked our WayBack machine (a Way, Way, Way Back machine for the birthday girl) as part of the surprise for Juliet and her friends Madeline, Julie, Daria, Dustin, and Sophia.
When I pulled into the family’s driveway I was greeted by Cathy who explained that Juliet and her friends were inside but hadn’t seen the limo yet. In a few moments the group emerged from the back door and their eyes lit up in admiration, appreciation, and in one certain case, a bit of confusion indicating the “what the heck is that?” look the Hippie Limo sometimes gets from people who have never seen a Microbus before. The crowd headed down the stairs, Juliet identified as the birthday girl by the pink tiara she wore with a mixture of joy and embarrassment.
Cameras, camera phones, and the eyes of amused and intrigued neighbors and passers-by were all on Juliet and her friends as they posed for a few photographs before climbing into our Samba. “Where IS Dustin?” asked several of the young women insistently. A barrage of frantic texting ensued, but no one appeared. “We’re going without him!” said someone, followed by a series of “Whoo hoo’s!’ that were an expression of excitement about the coming ride rather than at the absent Dustin. I have to admit I was confused by Dustin’s choice not to join his friends. An all-expenses paid evening including dinner at The Med, a ride in the Hippie Limo, and the company of five beautiful women . . . a not-to-be-missed occasion, if you ask me.
Wind from our five-foot open-air canvas sunroof was in their hair and a 1000 watts of Beatles music from our sound system was in their ears as the ladies sang and danced in their seats on the way to Boulder. I am not sure if the young women noticed all of the smiles and acknowledgements they received on their trip, but the occasional laughter accompanied by pointing out the windows told me that they had seen enough to know they were the center of attention on the road. I dropped Juliet and her friends off in front of The Med and headed off to park on Pearl St. to await their summons.
The group had a long dinner, but it was a school night after all, so they were on their way home well before the wee hours of the morning. On the way back to Juliet’s house I let her plug her iPod into our sound system so the crew could jam to their own favorite tracks. After having provided transportation for clients from 16 to 64, I think I can confidently say that the children of the 2000′s and the children of the 1960′s are the only passengers who are guaranteed to test the limits of the Hippie Limo’s speakers. I think it is a derivation of the adage “If it’s too loud, you’re too old” and a corollary “If you’re older, it’s not loud enough.” 
More Birthday & Anniversary Adventures!
Curious about the fun others have had with the Hippie Limo? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Birthdays & Anniversaries for a complete rundown of all of our related activities
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images groups have shared
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Juliana & Brian’s Wedding: Boulder Sunrise Amphitheater – 9/29/2012
Every wedding has a moment or characteristic that defines it, that makes it stand apart from any other wedding that came before or will follow. For Brian and Juliana I would offer that the defining characteristic was the passion between them clearly evident in one of the photos (see below) taken in the Hippie Limo.
The trip began at the Hotel Boulderado where we picked up Juliana and her bridesmaids Adriana, Diana, and Alissa, along with the wedding photographers. After a short photo session we were on our way up the familiar Flagstaff Mountain road headed for Boulder‘s beautiful Sunrise Amphitheater, a local favorite for weddings and other ceremonies. The novelty and corresponding smiles on the wedding party’s collective faces at climbing up Flagstaff in our Samba flowed palpably into the front of the bus. One of the bridesmaids repeatedly remarked that the ride was “SOOOO cool!” Each time she said it she intoned a little more enthusiasm and appreciation.
Once at the amphitheater the bridal party disembarked and began their final wardrobe and logistics checks before the main event. Most of the guests were already seated when we arrived, so it was rewarding for me to see the faces of the friends and family blossom as they crested the amphitheater’s steps after the ceremony and saw the Hippie Limo. It seemed like no time at all before Juliana and Brian were again in the Microbus, the photographers documenting the experience through dozens upon dozens of shutter clicks. As is often (but not always) the case, the groom was understandably a bit more eager for the photo session to end and the reception party to begin, whereas the bride and photographers were focused on this one-and-only chance to record one of the most meaningful events of the couple’s lives.
During the drive down the mountain the couple and their photographers relaxed and readied themselves for the celebrations to come. I envied Juliana and Brian the delightful combination of elation and exhaustion of the evening to come. The reception is one of the biggest opportunities a couple will have to bask in the glow and possibility of their new life’s journey and it is a time to savor.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Lana & Allen’s Wedding: Mount Vernon Country Club – 9/22/2012
The Hippie Limo‘s most recent late-night excursion was to the Mount Vernon Country Club to pick up Lana and Allen for their ride to the Hotel Monaco, the official starting point for their honeymoon. The newlyweds were ready to go the moment we arrived and their guests were already collecting outside to give them a warm farewell despite the comparatively chilly evening temperatures.
On spotting the Hippie Limo’s approach, one of Lana’s bridesmaids sprang into action and organized the guests and wedding party into mirrored exit lines on either side of the red carpet leading from the venue’s polished oak and brass entryway to our Samba’s gleaming red and white doors. I caught a glimpse of the couple as they navigated (and occasionally dodged) the crowd inside and noticed that they did not have coats. Having not seen any warm clothing at hand among the items I had already loaded for them, I quickly slipped inside the Microbus and laid out two blankets for Lana and Allen in case they wanted to ride with the five-foot canvas sunroof rolled back.
When I turned around I was startled to see several dozen large sparklers suddenly ignite above Lana and Allen’s heads as they dashed down the swelling gauntlet of well-wishers. Specks of bright, white light fell everywhere as I helped the breathless and smiling couple into their seats. Just as I was about to introduce myself, a photographer ushered me to the far side the bus’ doorway and began snapping pictures. Soon he was joined by another and suddenly amid all the flashing lights I began to wonder if these were Paparazzi instead of wedding photographers and whether I had accidentally picked up a pop music duo rather than a pair of newlyweds. A quick glance in the couple’s direction after the cameras withdrew revealed the flushed faces of a young couple a bit torn between their immense and sincere appreciation for the love and support they were receiving and their eagerness to exchange the constant limelight of the day for the gentle candlelight of the evening to come.
I made eye contact with Lana and Allen and wordlessly pointed first to the open sunroof and then to the blankets before giving the pair a questioning look. Knowing I would not be able to hear their words from their seats, they both motioned that they wanted the sunroof open and would very much appreciate the blankets. I indicated for them to buckle their seat belts and then unfolded the blankets. Suddenly the action-oriented bridesmaid from earlier appeared and gave her bride one final inspection. She gingerly reached down and tucked in the hem of her bride’s wedding gown far beyond the reach of the door, smiled sweetly to her, then seemingly just to herself, and then asked in an uncertain voice filled with bitter-sweet tremors, ”Is she ready?” At that moment she sounded and looked like every mother who has ever sent her little girl off to her first day of school, week at camp, or semester at college. I smiled. For no reason I can completely explain, I said, “She’s fabulous. Thanks to you.”
At last we pulled away into the near-moonless night. The chilled air, relative quiet, and lulling darkness that followed was as much of a contrast to the maelstrom of activity that had preceded as one could ask. I could both hear and feel Lana and Allen melt into the seats and into each other’s arms in the back. Lana asked if we could keep the sunroof open until we reached the highway and then close it until we were in the city. I said of course. The two exchanged stories about the day in quiet revere for the rest of the trip . . . until we reached downtown Denver when their energy levels rebounded.
Noting their newfound vigor, I suggested that we take some time to make a few passes through LoDo with the sound system cranked before we went to their hotel. Their response was enthusiastic! The next 20 minutes found us inching our way through the throngs of revelers in the streets and becoming the focus of attention for every bar with a patio and every pedestrian with the ability to turn their head. Camera phone flashes winked in the shadows and smiles glinted in the street lights all of the way through the district. Lana and Allen took it all in, waiving and smiling to the strangers as if they were royalty on parade. When at last we reached the entrance to the Hotel Monaco the streets were quiet as were Lana and Allen. After I unloaded their belongings into a bellhop cart, the couple thanked me for an amazing ride, remarking that they had both done the “limo thing” lots of times before, but that this trip had been something special. I bid them farewell and headed home, happy that even amid the amazing sendoff they received, Lana and Allen still felt that their ride in the Hippie Limo was something special.
Images below courtesy of James Ellison Photography.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Adriana & Ryan’s Wedding: Boulder Sunrise Amphitheater – 9/22/2012
The Hippie Limo was operating in stealth mode for Adriana and Ryan’s wedding at the Boulder Sunrise Amphitheater. Ryan called me the week before to arrange for the Hippie Limo to be the surprise getaway car for his bride Adriana and himself. He cautioned me not to arrive before 6:00 pm to ensure that Adriana would not see the Samba until the ceremony was over. The best laid plans . . .
I made the trip up Flagstaff mountain a bit in advance but pulled the microbus into a spot far away from the amphitheater and away from prying eyes. I parked on a downward-facing hill so when the time came I would simply let the Hippie Limo roll down the road and around the bend separating me from the amphitheater. My intent was to make sure that there would be no engine noise to either interrupt the ceremony or spoil the surprise in case the ceremony was running a few minutes late.
At 6:01 pm I released the parking brake, pushed in the clutch, and let our Samba do it’s impersonation of a silent-running hybrid. I had just begun to round the bend when a woman who I would later learn was Adriana and Ryan’s wedding coordinator darted out from behind a large van and waved me back out of sight. I could see a group of women who were obviously bridesmaids lining up on the stairs to the amphitheater and one of them had caught a glimpse of the bus as I came into sight. In one quick motion born of years of crisis management, the coordinator distracted the bride, silenced the bridesmaid, slipped out from the crowd, and let me know in broad gestures that I should disappear. The wedding hadn’t even begun!
I started the engine and backed up the hill. Luckily the coordinator’s distraction was a good one and I was able to scurry out of sight before the surprise was ruined. Later the coordinator walked to my parking spot around the bend and told me that the ceremony was running about 30 minutes behind and that she would come up and get me when I was needed. Shortly I was joined by two large shuttle coaches who were arriving to collect the guests and take them back into Boulder for the reception. I waived them to stop before they were able to make my mistake (their loud diesel engines would have certainly interrupted the ceremony).
When the coordinator finally did give me the all-clear I rolled down to the parking lot and was greeted by the beaming and ecstatic face of a new bride, the relieved and joyful expression of a novice groom, and the amazed and appreciative gazes of the guests and wedding party. Ryan shook my hand and introduced his wife while the amateur and professional photographers took their positions around the Hippie Limo. The couple looked so glamorous, yet carried themselves with such a playful grace that I had to smile as I watched them effortlessly transition from pose to pose for the photographers. Looking at the picture below of Ryan leaning in to gently steal a kiss from Adriana I think you will see something of that playful grace I saw, as well as catch a glimpse of a type of gentle appreciation and admiration that the most loving couples share.
Before long we were heading down Flagstaff en route to their reception at the Boulder Theater. By the time we reached the neon-drapped marquee, twilight had settled around Boulder and the nightlife was getting underway. I bid Adriana and Ryan farewell and a good life together. I hope Ryan’s surprise delighted Adriana. I am sure the Hippie Limo will be only one of many happy surprises they share together in their lives.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Tim’s Annual Marine Corps Buddies Reunion: Lafayette, CO – 9/21/2012
Tim and his buddies Rick and Bill met in Vietnam during the war in 1969. All were marines – tough as nails and sharp as knives. The bonds they formed back then have not only stood the test of time, but have grown stronger. Every year at the end of September the three reunite here in Colorado. Every year they include one very special event in their celebration. This year it was an evening out in the Hippie Limo.
You wouldn’t recognize the “sharp as knives” part of their former selves now, except in regards to their wit and intellect, which are substantial. (I suspect they broke the “jarhead” stereotype back in the day, as well.) The gang piled into the Hippie Limo about 7:00 on a Friday evening for a trip of nostalgic revelry. To her great credit, Tim’s girlfriend Cheri chose to join them, a fact that should be considered if ever someone was to make a bid for her saint-hood.
Tim was a bit slower boarding than the rest due to his long yet amazing recovery from a 40 ft. fall while rock climbing in Boulder Canyon. Bill and Rick gave Tim the sensitivity and respect he’d earned from his recovery when they suggested that they either carry him into the bus and stack him on the floor liked corded wood or drive with a door open and his foot sticking out just so we could get going.
“Man, I haven’t been in one of these since I was a kid!” exclaimed Bill from the vantage point of the rear seat. I remarked that he may not have been in “one of these” at all and proceeded to roll back the five-foot canvas sunroof and pop-open the front safari windows. “Ain’t that something!” commented Rick. I asked if anyone had some special music requests for our Samba’s 1000-watt sound system. “You got any Creedence?” asked Rick, which is now a familiar response to my question from so many previous rides. I queued up my standard playlist which includes The Stones, Steppenwolf, The Who, The Guess Who, and a few other oft-requested tunes and got the show on the road.
First we headed out for a short cruise through an area where there were no street or city lights to let the crew have an unobstructed view of the heavens through the sunroof. Then we headed for the highway to the sounds of Born to Be Wild and in short order stopped to take in the majestic front range mountains and Boulder city lights from the Boulder Scenic Overlook. The road then took us to Louisville for a couple of “parade runs” through its trendy downtown nightlife, each of which were greeted by more waves, peace signs, thumbs-up, and cheers than you could count. Our last destination was to downtown Lafayette where the city’s Art Night Out was just winding down. The group decided they would have a bit of ice cream at a local favorite purveyor of top-notch ice creams and treats, Eats & Sweets (which was incidentally voted Best of the West for food and drink by Yellow Scene Magazine) before concluding the evening.
Their sweet tooths satisfied, Tim, Cheri, Bill, and Rick all gathered back in the Hippie Limo for the final leg of their journey in our Wayback Machine. “Absolutely astounding” said Tim as got out of his seat. “Oh Yes!” exclaimed Rick, “very memorable!” I bid farewell to them, thinking about their fast friendship and hoping that I am as lucky as they are to have such dedicated friends in my later years. Best wishes to the men who ironically now “make love, not war”
More Reunion & Celebration Adventures!
Curious about the fun others have had with the Hippie Limo? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Reunions and Celebrations for a complete rundown of all of our related activities
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images groups have shared
- Be inspired by pictures from celebrations around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
The Hippie Limo’s Award-Winning Labor Day Weekend – 2012
Festivals and car shows are mainstays of the Labor Day Weekend. Last year when the Hippie Limo was only in its first year of business, we attended both the 2011 Louisville Labor Day Fall Festival and the 2011 Boulder Creek Labor Day Hometown Festival and showed our amazing Samba. Unlike last year when we barely knew what we were doing – to the point of forgetting to pick up our registration packet to be considered for judging, as an example — this year we had our act together. And it paid off. The Hippie Limo brought home two more awards that now adorn our mantel alongside our Best of Show award from the Denver Modernism Show‘s Motorama Car Show.
- Best Classic – Louisville, CO 17th Annual Fall Festival & Motorfest: This particular show hosted by the City of Louisville was judged by local news anchor Mike Landess who made several good choices in winners, including a beautiful 1924 Ford Model T, best popularized by the character Lizzy in the movie Cars.
- 1st Place Original/Restored 1960-86 – Boulder, CO 15th Annual Boulder Creek Hometown Festival & Car Show: This car show was sponsored the Starlite Diner & Lounge, Boulder Creek Events, Adam’s Premium Car Care, Valley Chrysler-Dodge, Rose Hill Wine & Spirits, and Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics Colorado. Members of the The Rocky Mountain Nova Club took time out of their holiday weekend to judge this show.
Take a few moments to watch the slideshow below to see a bit of what you may have missed. After that you might consider going over to In the Press to see all the awards we have won as well as the media and blogosphere coverage we have garnered.
More Parade & Show Adventures!
Curious about the fun we have had with the Hippie Limo? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Parades & Shows for a complete rundown of all of our related activities
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images groups have shared
- Be inspired by pictures from celebrations around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
The Hippie Limo Wins “Best of Show” at the 2012 Denver Modernism Motorama Car Show
As our dedicated follower(s) know, the Hippie Limo recently blogged about it’s plans to attend the Denver Modernism Show as well as set up a display at its automotive cousin, the Motorama Car Show. Little did I know what mojo was at work in those plans. Not only did I discover some treasures of retro-mod art, furniture, architecture, and culture in the Denver area, the Hippie Limo won the popular vote for “Best in Show” at the motorama!
The award was presented by the Denver Modernism Show’s Compère-beyond-Compare, Charles Phoenix. Apparently Mr. Phoenix is quite popular among today’s crazy kids who are obsessed with their Dungarees, J. D. Salingers, and 45 RPM records. This explains why he was completely unknown to me. Having now visited his website, learned a bit about him, and explored his NPR street cred, I wish I had taken more time to chat with this sommelier and self-described ambassador of America’s kitschy-pop past, present, and future. As it was, I only snapped one solitary image of the lanky time-traveller in his polyester stripped suit before moving on (and nursing a day-long, inexplicable craving for Beech-Nut Gum afterward).
As long as you are here you might consider going over to In the Press to see all the awards we have won as well as the media and blogosphere coverage we have garnered.
Take a look below to see who else stopped by to visit with the Hippie Limo.
While exploring the wares and exploits of the various vendors at the Denver Modernism Show I happened upon a few below that commanded my special attention (and yours as well, I hope):
- Stevotomic - Atomic Metal Art Sculptures
Fabulous fifties inspired dimensional metal sculpture. Put these on your walls and you’ll make Matt Helm look square!
- Mid Century Mike – Home Furnishings & Accessories
Meet Mike, an artist who is ‘crazy’ about mid-century furniture, architecture, cars, food, apparel, and everything that made up the 1950′s and 1960′s.
- modmood – Gallery of Modern Furnishings
Unique retailer selling old and new modern, contemporary, and vintage furnishings and finishes.
- Gestalt Collectables – All Things Mid-Century Modern and More
Michael Parks – Owner – 303.249.3315
- Modern in Denver – Architecture, Design, Art, People
Celebrating modern design and living in Colorado.
- Y.Rosemary Fivian, Architect, Inc. – Green and Graceful Modern Design
Architects creating award-winning design solutions for residential and small commercial projects.
- Mid Mod & More – The Urban Gallery
A funky-cool retro gallery for home furnishings with an emphasis on mid-modern and vintage pieces.
- Craig Patterson Fine Photography - Automotive, Car Shoots, Astrophotography
Well-executed photoshoots that can make your dream car or collection be a part of you forever.
More Parade & Show Adventures!
Curious about the fun we have had with the Hippie Limo? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Parades & Shows for a complete rundown of all of our related activities
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images groups have shared
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Kendra & Justin’s Wedding: Crooked Willow Farms – 8/26/2012
“We saw the Hippie Limo and right then it was a done deal!” That is what Kendra told me after I dropped her and her new hubby Justin off at The Inverness Hotel and Conference Center in Englewood, CO. The couple had hired our Samba to make a classy getaway following their wedding and reception at Crooked Willow Farms in Larkspur, CO. By all indications, it was one heck of a party!
When the Hippie Limo arrived at Crooked Willow Farms the evening’s festivities were just getting under way. I heard the DJ announce the first dance from the second-story window of the U-shaped building that was the venue. The building looked like it had formerly been a very large stable that had undergone such an elegant and dramatic remodel that it was hard to recognize it as such. The courtyard inside the arms of the U was beautifully landscaped and immaculately manicured and looked like an English garden nestled within a stone terrace. I crossed the courtyard and climbed the corkscrew stares up to the rustic dance area where I let the bride know the Hippie Limo had arrived.
Kendra was in such a state of flustered joy that I hesitated to even approach her. I could see the whirlwind that must have been the events of the day still spinning in her eyes, but I also saw the combination of elation, fulfillment, and relief that defines nearly every bride as she sees the finish line approaching to that happiest but also most draining of days. After simply introducing myself I stepped back outside to wait in the courtyard. I did take a quick detour to the other side of the building to take a look at the dining hall that was currently being cleaned by the staff. It was lined on both sides with large windows and had French doors at the end. The inside looked liked it had been outfitted by an expert in fine, vintage restaurant design.
In a couple of hours the guests began to trickle out. A few lined up in front of our Microbus, thinking that perhaps it was the bus that had been hired to take them to the hotel. In this particular case I had been retained just to be the livery for the lucky couple. Only moments after I explained why I was there a very large luxury charter bus rolled up on the other side of the Hippie Limo creating quite the visual contrast. Another half hour saw Kendra and Justin and their remaining guests flowing down the stairs and into the courtyard. The bridal party formed a canopy for the couple to run through on their way to the bus.
A few poses for photographs was all that separated them from their final getaway. It was close to midnight before we were off and cruising the back-country roads on our way to Kendra and Jusin’s hotel. The couple had their playlist going on our sound system at about half the system’s capacity (which is pretty loud) and settled into gentle cuddles and enthusiastic reminiscing about the day as they finally had some precious time just for themselves. I could almost feel the warmth from them radiating all of the way to the front of the bus, despite the cool air flowing in through the sunroof (which I suppose was technically now a moonroof since it was letting in the lunar glow from outside).
The couple had about a half-hour to themselves during the ride, and when we pulled into the Inverness driveway I could tell it had done them a world of good. As I opened the door for them and began unloading some of their baggage from rear hatch Kendra and Justin came around to the back of the bus and thanked me profusely for an amazing trip. Kendra offered me a pastry from the box the caterer had brought out to them prior to departing and told me that the couple would definitely tell others about the Hippie Limo. Then the two of them once again entered the fray of guests and photographers, happy and ready for the next stage of the evening.
We wish all the best for Kendra and Justin, and are particularly glad that we had the chance to meet them and be part of their celebration.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Lauren & Brent’s Wedding: Red Rocks Park & Trading Post – 8/25/2012
When Lauren contacted me she told me that her beau-to-be was a lifelong fan of VW buses and that he wanted more than anything to own one. In anticipation of that day she wanted to give him a ride in the Hippie Limo for their special trip from the ceremony at Red Rocks to the reception at the Boulder Country Club. Of course, I jumped at the chance to give another VW lover a taste of the very best VW had to offer in the 60′s.
When I arrived at the venue I tucked our Samba discretely behind a catering truck to await a text from Lauren’s mother that would signal my surprise arrival. The couple’s big day coincided with the 2012 edition of Reggae on the Rocks, a music festival showcasing the best of legendary and upcoming artists in the genre. There was no shortage of good music to listen to or shouts of appreciation from the crowds as I waited. When the time came I rolled up to the large event space with The Beatles song Love Me Do reverberating from the sound system. A wave of smiles washed across the faces of Lauren and Brent’s wedding guests and several of them broke out into dance.
On hearing the music, Lauren ushered Brent around the corner of the Trading Post to see the surprise she had arranged. From the driver’s seat of the Hippie Limo I could see his eyes widen and jaw drop. Brent then drew Lauren in for an embrace and a kiss, obviously deeply touched. Brent had to content himself with simply adoring the Microbus from afar for a bit longer as their photographer, the very personable and obviously talented Penny of Penny [O] Photography, had to pull them away for some group photos. The time passed quickly for me as I was very busy answering their departing guests’ questions about the couple’s sweet getaway car, but it must have been an eternity for Brent.
Finally we were off to the Boulder Country Club via a beautiful ride down Highway 93. Lauren and Brent split their attention among the lovely Foothills scenery outside and the music and conversation they shared on the inside. Lauren requested a custom playlist of Rock and Motown hits for their ride, which I gladly provided for them. The trip passed all too quickly and soon the couple found themselves entering their reception (but not before several poses with the Hippie Limo ). I bid them farewell, their smiling but exhausted faces full of appreciation. Best of luck to them on the ride of their lives – marriage!
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Megan & Brad’s Wedding: Lyons Farmette – 8/18/2012
The Lyons Farmette was the site of Megan and Brad’s big day (and evening) as well as the starting point for the Hippie Limo‘s latest wedding adventure. Megan and Brad wanted a safe and special way to transport their guests (and the two of them) from their big celebration at the Lyons Farmette to the “after party” house on the banks of the St. Vrain river. What transport could be more special than the Hippie Limo?
I pulled up to the venue at 9:30 pm and found a party in full swing. The loud and surprisingly clear music from the DJ stand echoed down the bridge that connected the hillside above to the parking area below. I could immediately tell a lot about the bride and groom from their music selection – 80′s to early 90′s hits. My first impressions were confirmed when I found the bride, Megan, swaying in perfect rhythm to the bass line of The Knack’s My Sherona as she talked with some of her guests. She didn’t even skip a beat when I introduced myself and let her know that her ride was here. She continued to move to the music as she told me the plan for the evening. These were going to be some pretty cool clients!
I walked down the bridge away from the music and the romantic glow of vintage-looking Italian Christmas lights circling the hillside and prepared the Samba for my first passengers. Unknown to me, the groom and a few of his friends were following behind and quickly came up and introduced themselves. They were dressed in white shirts with purple paisley suspenders and bow ties. The groom, Brad, was wearing the additional adornment of what I can only describe as a cross between a “Little Dutch Boy hat” and a railroad Engineer’s cap (though I later learned it was a Pageboy hat, like the early 1900′s “newsies” pageboys wore). On him it looked both dapper and whimsical, an impression furthered by the classically wax-curled tips of his moustache.
Brad and his party chatted with me a bit about the Hippie Limo and its history while six happy-go-lucky guests lined up, ready for the first trip up Highway 36 on its climb to Estes Park. The destination was a bit hard to find, but luckily the landmark of Shelly’s Cottages made it possible to find the turn-off in the dark. A couple more round trips and it was time for the happy couple to make their getaway. Megan and Brad made a special request for The Beatles to be their soundtrack during their ascent up the canyon. As we cruised through Lyons we saw crowds just starting to make the long trudge to their cars from The Rocky Mountain Folk Festival at Planet Bluegrass Ranch. Smiles lit up everyone’s faces as we made our way through the departing spectators. Soon we were winding our way up to the house with the twilight outline of rocky cliffs and a blanket of beaming stars flowing in through the sunroof.
Megan and Brad stepped out of the Hippie Limo into the awaiting revels of their friends and family. After one more quick round trip I was off to home at the nearly unheard-of hour (for me) of 12:30. My eyes may have been a bit blurry but I could tell by watching Megan and Brad that the two of them were going to be great companions for one another during their life together.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest.
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Jeff’s Bachelor Party with the Hippie Limo and Stranahan’s Distillery – 8/11/2012
If you are lucky enough to have the Hippie Limo be the transport for your bachelor party it means two things. First, it means that you have a great friend like Mic Wilborn, who despite his self-described lack of coordination skills, is dedicated to hunting up and arranging only the very best in funky fresh retro fun for the man of honor and his mates. Second, it means that you have convinced me that though you and your crew will be indulging in the usual “final night of freedom” activities, you will be doing so in a safe, sane, and respectful manner.
Mic won on both of these counts when he booked the Hippie Limo to take him, the groom-in-waiting Jeff Dodd, and his friends Justin Henry, Kyle Meyer, Kyle Judson, and Kevin Bransfield for a Hippie Limo cruise and a tour of Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey distillery as a part of their bachelor party. Though the group knew they were going to tour one of Colorado’s finest makers of small-batch distinctive whiskey, they did not know the actual manner they were getting there. When the Hippie Limo pulled into Jeff’s driveway I could hear a roar of laughter and an “Oh my God!” echo from the open windows.
I was only barely out of the driver’s seat when the gang began filing out of the house and walking around the microbus in amazement, appreciation, and in one case, skepticism. “You sure this thing has enough horse power to pull all of us there?” asked one of Jeff’s friends cautiously. Mic then mention that I had a load of self-identified gear-heads climbing on board, so I explained that the Hippie Limo has seen engine, suspension, and braking upgrades, and though all of the original equipment would have done just fine, no one needed to worry about having to get out and push. Jeff piped up and said “Man, you got any Creedence in this thing?” I smiled to myself. What self-respecting Hippie Limo would leave the garage without a full playlist of Creedence Clearwater Revival ready to go?
We arrived at Stranahan’s in short order. Mic, Jeff, and the others disembarked, but not before I had them pause for a quick photo op with the Hippie Limo which would be suitable for framing. After telling me they would be done with their tour in a little over an hour, the would-be connoisseurs sauntered into the single door that serves as the entrance to both the distillery and the Rackhouse Pub. A quick check on Yelp! assured me that the Rackhouse Pub, a favorite because of its use of local ingredients, firm committment to NOT frying foods, and selection of 20 craft beers and 50 fine whiskies, would be a fine place to wait for the revellers.
A half-rack of delicious ribs and two iced teas later I received a text telling me that the gentlemen would be ready to leave in about 15 minutes. I prepped the limo to receive the men who were now obviously well versed in the finer points of sampling copious amounts of top-notch whiskey. Once on board the gang had a unanimous request. They all wanted to take a quick spin by the bachelorette party where Steph Moore, the bride to be, and all of her friends could see the unbelievable ride the boys were sharing. Sound system set to near max, sunroof open, and six voices screaming the chorus to Fortunate Son, we headed off to the apartment where the ladies had apparently been keeping their own vigil since 10:00 am that morning.
Steph and the ladies were waving, cheering, and screaming as we drove up. I let the gentlemen pile out and the whole crowd spent several minutes sharing the details about each other’s celebrations. I suddenly felt sorry for the ladies since they had not had the benefit of Mic’s planning talents, so I offered them the opportunity to take a quick five-minute ride around the block. I didn’t have to ask twice. The ladies were onboard and Born to Be Wild was barely distinguishable above their cheers and screams. In short order the guys were again in the Hippie Limo and we were on our way back to the groom’s house were the group was presumably going straight to bed for a good night’s sleep at the wee hour of 7:00 pm.
When I dropped the guys off to continue their party indoors I received a hail of high-fives, thank-yous, and peace signs. “Man, did you look back and see all of those smiles we were wearing?” asked Mic as he shook my hand. “You made this a great time, man!” said Jeff the groom. ” Here is hoping a lot more safe, sane, and respectful bachelors (and bachelorettes) have a “Mic” planning their special celebrations!
More Bachelor & Bachelorette Party Adventures!
Curious about the fun others have had with the Hippie Limo? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Bachelor & Bachelorette Parties or Beer, Wine & Spirits Tours for a complete rundown of all of our related activities
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images groups have shared
- Be inspired by pictures of celebrations from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Advice for Using the Hippie Limo as a Shuttle for Your Wedding or Commitment Celebration
Starting the Hippie Limo has been a learning experience, and the last year has yielded some best practices in making the Hippie Limo a part of a couple’s big day. Below are suggestions for using the Hippie Limo as an oh-so-special shuttle service for their wedding or commitment. Remember that we have a six passenger maximum, which means you will have to do some planning if you want to shuttle a number of guests during your wedding or commitment.
- Estimate total time for each one-way or round trip for the shuttle (pickup to dropoff and/or return to pickup location, for example) using something like Google Maps or Mapquest. Then add between 3-5 minutes for each estimate to be on the safe side.
- Create a shuttle departure timetable for each specific location or event and provide it to the guests at their respective lodgings as well as post it on every reception table and at the bar or catering table (if there is one) so that all guests have a way to see when a ride will be arriving or departing from a location. Make it clear which part of the timetable is for trips from one location to another. Be sure to indicate the maximum number of passengers per trip and highlight the time of the last trip to or from any location.
- Go a step further and create assigned seating for each shuttle trip (based on the seating chart at the reception tables or some other existing ordered list of guests to make things easier for you to plan and easier for your guests to remember). In conjunction with the timetable this should make sure that all guests are transported before the start of an event and at the end of the evening in workable numbers. If this is not done there is a risk that at some point (usually just before the ceremony or at the very end of the evening) there will be a line of guests waiting transportation and no room for them.
- Make an announcement about the shuttle, schedule, and assigned seating at the beginning of the reception as well as at least two or three times throughout.
- Task your wedding party, coordinator, or other reliable persons to round-up guests at the departure times and help them get to their ride. You can be tech-savvy about it and in addition send out texts to each party’s cell phones to give them a 10-15 minute heads-up on the time they will be leaving. For those with smart phones you can send out emails with schedules for each part of the evening in advance. That said, don’t rely on technology to be sure your guests make their departure times. Nothing substitutes for a friendly reminder from a person.
- Decide on and reserve a specific spot for pickups and dropoffs and then provide signage to help direct guests to the location. Also post a copy of the timetable at the location. Establishing a consistent pickup point is critical, especially in cases where guests may have enjoyed themselves a bit more than expected and could end up getting lost. You can kick it up a notch and include a kitchen timer or other battery-powered clock at the pickup location to really help keep the guests on track.
- Last, but surely not least, check all event calendars for the city and local venues (concert halls, hotels, festival pavilions, etc,) to be sure there are no events that might impact travel times to the venues, hotels, B&Bs, or other lodgings. All it takes is one unexpected event and the associated traffic or road closures to turn a five-minute trip into a 25 minute trip.
If this much planning doesn’t sound like your cup of tea or you just have too many guests in your entourage, you could consider choosing another limo service that offers vehicles with larger seating capacity or can provide more vehicles for the event. There are several limo companies in Denver that can provide both of these benefits. Take a look at our article on Denver & Boulder Limousine Options, Rates, and Advice for Weddings and Special Occasions – Making the Decision to help you find just the right service at the right price for you.
Of course, should you choose another company it will certainly not be able to give you the one-of-a-kind experience in riding in the icon of an era, nor will your guests be able to boast about having been in one of the most unique rides in Denver or Boulder. As one group of passengers observed on a night out in our Samba, “A Hummer sure doesn’t get you the smiles, reactions, or peace signs like you get in the Hippie Limo!”
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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What did you think of this article? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Denver Modernism Show – 8/24-26 and Motorama Car Show – 8/26/2012
When I was in graduate school in the mid nineties I had a critical theory class in which we studied the Modernism Movement in literature (1900-1965). Funny thing about calling something “modern” is that by the time enough experts agreed on the name and identifying characteristics of the movement, the movement itself was already over! And if “modernism” is something that happened in the past, where does that leave us now? In the 90′s the answer was Post-Modernism, so does that mean Post Post-Modernism will follow? This makes the term “modernism” particularly unwieldy in my opinion.
The critique not withstanding, I am a real fan of the “modern” design aesthetic ranging from Art Deco to American Craftsman to 60′s Mod. Of course one look at the lines and styling of the Hippie Limo makes these design preferences pretty evident. It is worthwhile noting that the VW Split-Window Microbus was designed and built from 1949-67, which means it has a foot in all those periods.
For any of you with similar tastes you should attend the Denver Modernism Show on August 24th, 25th, and 26th 2012 at the National Western Complex Expo Hall in Denver. If you have an interest in mid-century, art deco, retro, pop, or modernist furnishings, artwork, objects, and artifacts, you will find your heart’s desire met in the 50,000 square feet of vendor-packed show space. You will also find the Hippie Limo there!
The Hippie Limo will be setting up shop alongside over 100 other cars as part of the Motorama Car Show on August 26th 2012 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, a show organized for the Denver Modernism Show by the Sunday Afternoon Car Klub (SACK), a Colorado affiliate of Lambda Car Club International (LCCI). You will find the Motorama’s selection of “post-Atomic American and European cars” in the National Western Complex’s adjoining Hall of Education (that’s right “in” – meaning an indoor show!). Admission is $8.00 which includes admission to the Denver Modernism Show!
We hope to see you there and we promise to post all of the photos we can get of the main Modernism show and it’s internal-combustion next-door cousin when we have them.
More Parade & Show Adventures!
Curious about the fun we have had with the Hippie Limo? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Parades & Shows for a complete rundown of all of our related activities
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images groups have shared
- Be inspired by pictures from celebrations around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Buffalo Bill Days Parade and Car Show (and Justine’s Birthday!): Golden, CO – 7/28/2012
July seems to be a busy month for the Hippie Limo just as it was last year! Last week we displayed our Samba in the 1st Annual Starlite Diner‘s Classic Car Show to benefit Colorado Special Olympics. There the Hippie Limo won its first show award – 3rd Place for Orignal Stock Restoration 1960-84! Right on the heals of that event was the famous Buffalo Bill Days celebrations in the old-west’s Golden, CO.
The Hippie Limo was lucky enough to be selected to roll in one of the main events, the Buffalo Bill Days Parade. We had a wonderful spot in the middle of the parade and showcased four professionals from the Colorado School of Mines who danced and waved from the Hippie Limo’s sunroof to the 12,000+ spectators. The moment the crowds saw us coming they collectively smiled and then burst into laughter when they saw our Hippie Limo.com – Weddings & Special Occasions signs. I love how people react when they discover we are an actual limo service.
The parade went by all too fast but we still had more on our plate the following day when the Hippie Limo opened its doors for Justine Davis, Chelsea Walzack, Robin Braa, Karen Bolis, and Kathy Smith for their ride to Golden for a day of shopping and fun. Justine’s parents had given her one of the Hippie Limo’s gift certificates for a free ride for her birthday. This particular gift certificate was from our donation to the Crescendo! Big Sound Fundraiser to benefit Rocky Mountain Center for Musical Arts. We all enjoyed our ride along the Front Range mountains as we gazed through the 21-windows of the Microbus and watched the sky roll by through the 5-foot canvas open-air sunroof. I dropped off the crew in Golden for a shopping spree and then joined the Buffalo Bill’s Car Show on Washington Street presented by the Colorado chapter of the Antique Automotive Club of America.
The Hippie Limo played meet-and-greet to about 5,000 car fans while it waited to spirit the ladies back home. You can imagine the delight on their faces when they unexpectedly saw their personal chariot being the subject of so much attention. Right in the middle of the show I opened up the doors and helped the ladies board, much to the envy of all of the onlookers, and then took them on their music-filled ride back home. All in all, a great day for everyone!
More Birthday & Anniversary Adventures!
Curious about the fun others have had with the Hippie Limo? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Birthdays and Anniversaries for a complete rundown of all of our related activities
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images groups have shared
- Be inspired by pictures from celebrations around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Denver & Boulder Limousine Options, Rates, and Advice for Weddings and Special Occasions – Making the Decision
Choosing the right limo service for your wedding or special occasion – the combination of amenities, quality and type of vehicles, good service, and budget-friendly pricing – can be difficult. Denver-metro residents have a host of limo services to choose from, especially if they are looking for the standard stretch towncar, SUV, or party bus. On the other hand there are only a handful of services that offer classic, antique, unique, and vintage limos like the Hippie Limo.
Most limo services offer the modern limo experience – partial or full bars, lots of neon in the interior with nightclub styling, and the cache of a sleek machine for your ride. Though the Hippie Limo’s completely period dealer-showroom restoration does not allow for these sort of extras (nor would we want them to spoil the experience), it does have its own appeal for those with retro-mod tastes. If you want to jump over and see what the Hippie Limo charges for service, go over to Limo Packages & Rates.
The Chase
If you are the kind of person who just wants the basic information (without all of the details that will likely explain the variation between published and actual pricing), then here you go:
On average, for a 6-passenger regular luxury SUV “limo” (not stretched) in the Denver Metro you can expect to pay a base $200 for a standard 3-hour minimum and $65 for each additional hour NOT INCLUDING taxes or a mandatory 20% gratuity.
The Details
Now read below to learn more about pricing factors and variations and to find links to the published pricing for specific companies.
If you are doing web searches to find out just what sort of hit to the pocket-book a limo will mean for your wedding or special occasion, you will often find yourself having to call the service for a quote as pricing is dependent on several factors, including but not limited to:
- Season
- Vehicle
- Time of day
- Occasion
- Gratuity
- Fuel prices and other ever-changing operating costs
Still, there are several companies who publish and presumably regularly update their hourly rates, a few of which I will list for you below. A common misconception is that limos bill similarly to taxis, meaning they bill by the time it takes to make a trip. Mostly this is not so except in the case of airport or concert services. It doesn’t matter if you will only physically be in the limo for a couple of hours, if you plan on having a 6-hour night on the town you will be paying for 6-hours of service. This is because the limo will be at your command for those hours and is unable to service other customers during that time. As I said, this is not always the case but it is how the vast majority of companies work their billing.
Considerations in Pricing a Limo Service in Denver
To help you the savvy consumer try to get some idea of just what you will pay for a limo ride in our area I have collected a few of the Denver sites with rates pages below. Before you take them at face value you should be aware of the following restrictions that may apply. Or put another way, the lower rates they list are based on limitations on service that may not actually apply to your specific occasion or situation:
- Season: Prom, Wedding, and Concert seasons (May-ish to October-ish) are more expensive than off-seasons because of demand.
- Note: The Hippie Limo only operates from April to October and only has one price structure.
- Weekday, Weekend, or Time-of-Day: Rates will vary depending on the days and times you want service. Obviously the more popular days and times (weekends and evenings) command the more expensive rates.
- Note: The Hippie Limo’s rates are the same regardless of day or time.
- Occasion: Limo companies know that some occasions warrant a more premium price on service because people are just willing to pay more for their special occasion. A limo for a wedding or prom is usually more special than a night out. Funerals are usually another matter.
- Note: The Hippie Limo is “agnostic” when it comes to occasion. Meaning it doesn’t matter what you want to use it for, it is one price.
- Distance: Limos have their lowest rates the closer they provide service to their respective garages. Obviously it takes longer and costs more for a limo to provide service to a suburb or rural area than it does to downtown locations where most companies are based. The posted rates usually are for the metro area and can vary depending on pickup and drop-off destinations.
- Note: The Hippie Limo includes travel charges in our base hourly rate provided pickup and dropoff locations are within a 30-mile radius of Boulder City Center (that’s radius, not actual road miles – see Contact & Booking for more details). Any travel to mountain towns and as well as travel to areas outside this radius will incur an extra charge to cover our additional costs (again, see Contact & Booking for details). The Hippie Limo is also limited by our insurance to operation within a 50-mile radius of Downtown Denver (again, radius, not miles travelled).
- Amenities: Most limos have some level of luxuries such as bars and decor. That being said, the lower priced limos will have less stylish or extravagant presentations. Generally, the larger the vehicle the more indulgent and impressive the perks you get.
- Note: The Hippie Limo lacks pretty much all of these luxuries as I mentioned above. Some “luxuries” you might expect, such as air-conditioning or heating, are also lacking. The former was pretty rare on any car in 1965 and the latter was never much on the old Microbuses in the first place. Even so, this is almost never an issue regarding the comfort of passengers as the 5-foot open-air sunroof and front opening Safari windshields usually keep the temperature very moderate.
- Hourly Minimum: Most services have an hourly minimum, usually about 3-4 hours. When you look at their page they will use a grid to distinguish between the type of vehicle and its associated hourly rate and minimums.
- Note: The Hippie Limo has a 3-hour minimum, which is pretty standard.
- Vehicle Selection: You really have a range of options to meet your desires with most companies (save for classic cars). You can have a basic towncar (which will still be very nice) that seats 2 passengers; a van, stretch towncar, or regular SUV which usually seats 6-8 passengers; and finally a stretch SUV or bus which can seat anywhere from 12-26 or so. As you go up in vehicle capacity you go up in price. Towncars usually bill out between $65 and $85 and hour, whereas the coveted stretch dual axle Hummer behemoth can run $180 an hour or more.
- Note: The Hippie Limo is our one and only vehicle. I am a full-time at-home dad of two children. In an effort to fill that pesky income gap that results from having a devoted at-home parent, I am trying to find a way to make some money with my classic car.
- Classic or Modern: Newer limos are surprisingly less expensive to acquire and maintain than older ones, so classic, antique, and vintage limos demand a premium over modern cars. Though price is a consideration, you just cannot beat the photos at a wedding or other occasion that come along with hiring a car such as a Rolls Royce, Bently, or similar (a 1965 21-Window Deluxe VW Microbus, for example . You can easily expect to pay between $130-$180 an hour for one of these beauties (and you are often charged for roundtrip travel from/to their garage in addition to your actual hours of service). I you can stretch your budged to include a classic limo, you won’t regret it when it comes to the general “wow” factor in your guests’ reactions as well as in the “pop” you will have in your photographs.
- Note: The Hippie Limo bills out at about the same rate as a stretch towncar with most companies (sometimes a little higher), which is quite a bit less than one of the more ritzy options – though admittedly less prestigious. Check out our Weddings & Commitments page as well as our Photo Gallery to see what sort of photos you might expect to have if you hire the Hippie Limo.
- Gratuities, Taxes, and Charges: Published pricing for many services may not include a mandatory 20% “gratuity,” a 5% fuel surcharge, or other applicable taxes and charges. These can add up if the service uses them. Usually the service will have a disclaimer near the pricing grid that lets you know these extras are not included in the base pricing.
- Note: The Hippie Limo has all taxes and charges (other than mentioned above for some travel) included in its base rate. Gratuities are never expected or required (but they are sure appreciated!)
- Special Note on the term “Gratuity:” Most limousine companies book their vehicles at a rate plus a 20% gratuity, also called a “chauffeur’s fee.” The use of the word “gratuity” is misleading as it leads most customers to think they are tipping the driver in advance. In fact, the 20% is the driver’s base wage. This is what the company pays the driver for her or his hard work; drivers rarely get an hourly wage.
The above points cover most considerations you will have in pricing a limo service for your wedding or other special occasion. The bit of guidance above is not meant to show how the Hippie Limo is better than other services. Indeed, we don’t offer much of what they do — other than a one-of-a-kind experience in a 60′s icon, of course.
Some Denver and Boulder Area Limo Rates and Services
As promised, below are links to some companies in the Denver and Boulder area that publish their limo rates in some form on the web. Though it is not possible to compare “apples to apples” when considering our Limo Packages & Rates along with theirs, it should give you some starting point on pricing.
On average, for a 6-passenger regular luxury SUV “limo” (not stretched) in the Denver Metro you can expect to pay a base $200 for a standard 3-hour minimum and $65 for each additional hour. This pricing DOES NOT INCLUDE taxes or a mandatory 20% gratuity. Nor does it account for extra charges for high-demand days, hours, or occasions.
The companies below are presented in no particular order and the Hippie Limo does not endorse any service nor does it know whether or not the rates on the pages are up-to-date or if the considerations listed above apply in all cases.
- Denver Crown Limousine
- A Century Limousine Denver
- American Eagle Limousine Denver
- Colorado Luxury Limousine Denver
- Pearl Limousine Denver
- Denver Limo Service
- Global VIP Limousine (Denver VIP Coach)
- Denver Limo, Inc.
- Sunset Luxury Limousines
Denver and Boulder Area Classic, Vintage, Antique, or Unique Limo Services
Our area does have a few choices when it comes to renting an unusual limo for your wedding or special occasion. Check out the ones below.
- Excursions Limousine Service
- Rolls Royce Rentals Denver
- The Ambassador’s Rolls: Classic Rolls Royce Limousines (R.I.P)
- Colorado Movie Cars (Facebook)
- Silver Elegance Rolls Royce Limousine Service
- Rolls Royce Weddings
Other Advice When Hiring a Limo and Denver
Visit the sites below for good advice and “gotchas” to watch out for when renting a limo. To see the Hippie Limo’s operation credentials go to Contact & Booking and scroll to the bottom of the page.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest.
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Do you have a company or other resource to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Peace, Love & Misunderstanding (and The Hippie Limo) – 6/4/2012
I love film. I adore indy film. As a college and then graduate student I always made it a point to go to every art house showing, film festival, and film program exhibition I could. However, as a full time at-home dad of two wonderful children under three, I have pretty much no time to go to movies anymore. Given this, I was estatic to be contacted by IFC Entertainment to see if the Hippie Limo would be intereted in doing a co-promotion for their production Peace, Love & Misunderstanding.
Here is an overiew of the film from it’s website: Directed by two‐time Academy Award nominee Bruce Beresford, Peace, Love, & Misunderstanding stars Academy Award winning Jane Fonda, two‐time Academy Award nominated Catherine Keener, international heartthrob Chace Crawford, and Sundance’s “breakout star” Elizabeth Olsen. It is comedy about an uptight New York City lawyer who takes her two spirited teenagers to her hippie mother’s farmhouse in the countryside for a family vacation. What was meant to be a weekend getaway quickly turns into a summer adventure of romance, music, family secrets, and self‐discovery.
A night out, an indy flick, and a chance to share the Hippie Limo with a hundred or more film lovers . . . a win-win, don’t you think? Even better for you, attendees will have the opportunity to win a ride in the Hippie Limo! How can you beat that?
If you can make time in your schedule, block off a couple of hours and buy a ticket on June 4, 2012 for the Denver special advanced screening of Peace, Love & Misunderstanding. The show starts at 7:30 PM at a local Denver theatre (one of which will be the award-winning Landmark Chez Artiste theatre where you can meet the Hippie Limo in person before the show!).
Enter to win tickets to the show by texting the word WOODSTOCK and your ZIP CODE to 43549 AND you could also win a four-hour Magical Mystery Tour in our 1965 VW Samba Microbus limo! (Example text: WOODSTOCK 80246; Entry deadline: Thursday, May 31 at midnight). See ya there!
More Event & Promotion Adventures!
Curious about the fun we’ve had at other events and promotions? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Events & Promotions for a complete rundown of all of our related activities
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images others have shared
- Be inspired by pictures from celebrations around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your other special occasion!
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Do you have a marketing activity or other resource to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
