[pics] Events! What We Know and What We Look Forward To!

2019 was a year of attending events that we had not been to in the past. During 2019, the MetalCloak CTI Tour travelled to 20 of the larger off-road events around the country, covering more than 41,000 miles.

2020, while starting off with a bang, has changed the Jeep Event community in an extreme way.

Here’s what we know has cancelled…

Easter Jeep Safari, Moab, Utah, cancelled

Jeep Beach Week, Daytona Beach, cancelled.

MayDay Miami, Miami, FL, cancelled.

Bantam, PA, cancelled.

Toledo Jeep Fest, OH, cancelled.

NJ Jeep Invasion, Wildwood, NJ, cancelled.

PA Jeeps All Breeds, York, PA, cancelled.

All-4-Fun, Colorado, cancelled.

Events bond the community…

You know why the off-road industry is successful? Events. Each year there are a couple of hundred events across the country that take place outdoors that involve running, hiking, biking, and motorized off road use. We, as outdoor enthusiasts, want to be outdoors in the same way that Jeepers want to be jeeping. We are largely a social group…we want to experience things with others…share what we know and where we have been…but did you know that YOU are the key? Without attendance to these events, our voice is diminished and support for our rights to continue to use the land that we all enjoy becomes muted.

My fear is that the words “Land Use” have become more political and tend to scare people away from becoming involved. All of the things that we enjoy doing outdoors are for enjoyment, are hobbies or for fitness, etc…But becoming involved does not, and should not, be scary, because we are already taking steps to make sure our rights are preserved, just by attending events.

Do you know why NASCAR racing is successful? It’s fans. If nobody watched those races, they simply would not exist. We are the off-road industry’s biggest fans. The new enthusiast seeks differentiation already. It is the reason that the four wheel drive owner purchases certain parts over others or the runner chooses brightly colored shoes over more conservative colored ones. It’s not about being cool or doing what everyone else wants you to do, it’s about making decisions based on what it is that you want to do. You have a choice and because of those choices the industries that rely on our decisions need to see us.

Sharing the lifestyle…

How did you know that you would enjoy jeeping? You probably went jeeping with a friend or family member. You tried it, and you liked it. Have you ever been to a Rock Bouncer event? How about an endurance dirt race? What about an event that challenged your social as well as navigational skills? There are events that appeal to each and every one of us taking place across our country every day, and we need to be taking advantage of what the promoters are trying to convey to us…it’s their way of sharing the lifestyle with us, to give us another perspective, so that when we make decisions about our interests, they can be the best decisions. Really. That is all we need to do to make a difference. Be seen. Attend.

All I’m suggesting is that you get outside and enjoy yourselves. When there are events near you that interest you…make the effort…make an appearance. Be heard. Express your interests. It will make a difference! I look forward to seeing each and every one of you at an event this year!

Here’s what we know is still planned…

The ModernJeeper Adventures, Moab, UT

Jeep Jam, Panama City, FL

Ohio Jeep Fest, OH

ModernJeeper Adventures, Tillamook, OR

ModernJeeper Adventures, Rubicon, CA

Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion, Pigeon Forge, TN

Fall NJ Jeep Invasion, Ocean City, NJ

and the rescheduled Jeep Beach Week…Stay safe and stay healthy!

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