Volkswagen event includes free movie, climbing wall

By David Brunner
Staff Writer

The animated movie "Shrek" will be shown for free tonight in the Memorial Mall. The show is part of the "Major Motion Picture Show" road trip and a marketing attempt by Volkswagen of America that targets 20 college campuses nationwide, including Purdue.

Matt Harsh, tour director for the "Major Motion Picture Show," said that the show started five semesters ago because Volkswagen wanted to reach out to young people.

"Our hope is to reinvigorate the brand Volkswagen by showing off our certified pre-owned cars and offering other fun bonuses like being able to ride a Trek bicycle and the chance to play virtual reality video games."

The show will feature many activities and events that students can participate in all day today, including a 25-foot climbing wall.

The wall has been one of the most popular activities with Purdue students in the past.

Caroline Moeller, an exchange student from Germany who climbed on the wall last year, said it was her favorite activity.

"I climbed the wall four times in one day last time," Moeller said. "After a while it hurts your arms, but it is a lot of fun."

Moeller, who cannot attend the event this year, said that she regrets not being able to climb the wall again and see the free movie.

"There were a lot of fun things that day; I wish that this year I was able to see the movie. 'Shrek' is a really good movie … I know that there will be a lot of people there."

Harsh hopes so.

"We hope that students will come and have a good time, see a good free movie that you cannot even rent yet, and then look into buying one of our cars … it really should be a fun day for everyone," he said.

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