After a successful inaugural event, the Jeeps and Jamz Expo is returning in June 2024. Organizers hope to rev up a bigger crowd with more activities for the second annual celebration of all things Jeep.
Organizer Jennie Smith said while this summer’s event was a success on the first try, but she has high hopes for the future and said “the only way to go is up.”
Set for June 7-8, 2024, the weekend will include new events to provide people with the full experience of the Jeep community, Smith said.
There will be a kickoff party, a Jeep obstacle course at Windy Hollow, a trail ride, an expo at the Owensboro Convention Center, and an attempt to set a new Jeep Convoy record.
Last year’s Jeep Convoy set the state record for the largest Jeep Convoy, with 556 Jeeps and a route of roughly 20-25 miles.
“We’re going to try to double those numbers,” Smith said.
One of the new events on the schedule is a “Blessing of the Jeeps,” where Smith said they plan to take the vehicles to “Jeep church” on Sunday morning. She hopes to bring in some of the local churches as partners so that people can enjoy church from the comfort of their Jeeps.
Providing events like this reinforces the culture that Smith said comes with buying a Jeep.
“When you buy a Jeep, you’re not just buying a vehicle, you actually inherit a family that you didn’t even know that you had. So when we put on an event, Jeepers show up, and we show up in forces,” Smith said.
This year’s Expo had crowds of people coming from all across the nation, as well as Canada and England, according to Smith.
With year two, they want to showcase that Owensboro is a destination spot for Jeepers and other traveling families.
“We’re a big little town, so to speak, with big hearts and welcoming arms. So for the City of Owensboro and its people, we hope that they see that the Jeeping culture is not just a vehicle. It is a whole family full of love and hospitality and friendship,” Smith said.
To learn more about the Expo, head to their website here.
