Braggin’ Rights - Devin Jarrett was the high bidder in the auction for the chance to crush a cop car. The event was the highlight of the weekend as thousands of spectators watched Jarrett and a friend shred a Pickens County Sheriff cruiser with their monster Jeep.
Last weekend’s Sheriff’s JeepFest rolled over expectations in the number of attendees and the financial impact to the community, much more than doubling the previous years attendance.
Figures show that more 1,000 Jeeps registered for the trail rides and obstacles courses, while an unknown number of four-wheel enthusiasts showed up to just hang out and spectate. With no admission charge, there is no way to get an exact count of the Jeeps or spectators.
But lead organizer Kris Stancil said at one point, all the 1,100 parking spaces on the festival grounds were taken plus a sizeable number of cars parked along the access road to the Post Office and in the Ingles parking lot.
"Everything just lined up perfectly. The weather was a little warm, but dry. The selection of vendors worked well together and they worked to promote the event. The crowds came and not a single negative incident was reported over the three days," he said.
Estimates are that well over 10,000 people came through the festival grounds with more than 3,000 on hand for the Saturday night concert. In addition to the Homebase crowds, at any given time there were 200-300 Jeeps on different trail rides throughout the county.
Sheriff Donnie Craig said the event raised just short of $100,000 in gross revenue, with them having about $30,000 in expenses to pay from that. The funds will be split between the Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes, the local Sheriff’s Foundation and the Joy House.
The only incident reported was one Jeep that suffered substantial body damage after rolling over in the obstacle course. But the sheriff said the driver was going hard in the advanced area where damage isn’t uncommon. There were no incidents either on the trails or throughout the area associated with the event.
Local businesses reported stellar weekends. Johnny’s Pizza staff told organizers it was literally their busiest weekend ever in Jasper.
Dawn Hause, owner of the Carriage House, said, “Phenomenal. JeepFest definitely made a difference,” at her Main Street restaurant. She said there were Jeeps outside with owners eating breakfast inside. She said she didn’t do much extra with lunches as everyone was at the festival grounds but that was to be expected and while the event added to totals Thursday, Friday and Saturday, it did so without bogging down traffic or creating headaches downtown.
At the Woodbridge Inn, owner Hans Rueffert said he was booked solid this year and is already booked solid for next year and for 2015 expected JeepFest dates.
“The best news for [the restaurant] is many of the non-Jasper attendees fell in love with Jasper and the Woodbridge and are planning returns visits throughout the year, not just at JeepFest,” he said.
Sheriff Craig and Kris Stancil said they are already considering the future of the event and how much larger it could grow without a serious revising. They are looking at some ways to make it more efficient with check-ins for trail rides and in ordering more JeepFest merchandise, which sold out quickly this year.
The first year was a simple trail ride; the second year drew 400 Jeeps and then it doubled to more than 1,000 registered Jeeps this year. “If it looks like it will double again next year, it would take a serious re-evaluation,” said Sheriff Craig.
Craig said he had heard several people suggest he charge for parking or for admission, but said he wants people to come and enjoy the free spectating.
“This is a great way to give back to the community,” he said.
Craig said all the 200 volunteers deserve thanks, with some deserving special recognition including: the city of Jasper and county road crews; Mark Maddox for work on the obstacle course; Gary Copeland, Bob Wigington and Wigington Contractors who provided the Homebase area.
“We definitely couldn’t have done it without these people,” he said.
The Jasper Lions Club and all the non-profits who volunteered to work the different parts of the festival were also to be commended.
Courtesy of Pickens Progress