A Jeep maneuvers over an obstacle at last year’s Jeep Jam. The 2026 Jeep Jam will be held from 11 a,.m. to 4 p.m. May 30 at the Interstate Fairgrounds in Mineral Wells. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG – The Ohio Valley Jeep Club will hold its second Jeep Jam from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 30 at the West Virginia Interstate Fairgrounds in Mineral Wells.

For Jeep enthusiasts, Jeep Jam is the largest single Jeep festival in West Virginia. Activities include a Sparkle ‘n Shine, mud bogs, a new, an improved obstacle course and a special area for young Jeep lovers.

“We have created an event that has something for everyone,” Jeep Club President Brad Hackney said. “This event will attract die-hard mudders along with people who just want to show off their rig.”

The 2026 Jeep Jam includes more than 40 vendors, many of which are Jeep-specific, and two food trucks.

“We have almost double the amount of vendors coming in this year,” Missy Plumly, events director for the club, said. “Some of the bigger named vendors include Next Generation Graphics and BAMF Beard Co. We even have a young entrepreneur who will be presenting her Jeep-related products to the public for the first time ever. ”

The water course at Jeep Jam. More than 160 Jeeps were at last year’s Jam. (Photo Provided)

Vendors will be available along the perimeter of the event while Jeep owners will be able to park in the middle.

“This strategic set up will allow room for Jeepers to park, set up their rigs and walk around to see not only what vendors have to offer, but what other Jeep set ups look like,” Plumly said. “We want people to be able to come in, hang out and just enjoy being amongst other enthusiasts.”

More than 160 Jeeps were at last year’s Jeep Jam.

“This event will give folks the chance to see how other owners have their jeeps set up,” Hackney said. “From Jeeps with large tires and lifts to low riders, Jeeps are very versatile vehicles and most owners pride themselves on their customizations. This event will give people the chance to see some pretty fantastic Jeeps and come up with ideas of ways they can customize their own rigs.”

The new, updated obstacle course will give Jeepers an opportunity to practice their driving skills in a controlled setting.

A Jeep slaloms through the mud at Jeep Jam in 2025. This year’s Jeep Jam will be held May 30 at the Interstate Fairgrounds in Mineral Wells. (Photo Provided)

“Our new obstacle course was created by our club’s admin team in order to give all Jeep owners, new and experienced, a place to see how their rig will operate under different circumstances,” Plumly said. “The playground will include dirt, mud, rocks and more.”

This year’s Sparkle ‘n Shine will include trophies for the top Jeeps in several areas, including a kid’s choice award, Top Gladiator, top Wrangler, People’s Choice and Grand Champion.

“Last year we had more than 80 jeeps participate in this part of Jeep Jam,” Plumly said. “We have set aside a whole area for this part of the festival this year because we expect so many more participants.”

Another addition to this year’s event is Base Camp, a display of the club’s Overland community.

“We are finding that more and more people are interested in the camping aspect of Jeeping,” club Vice President Scott Jones said. “Going off the grid in your rig is really a thing. We have Jeeps with roof top tents and some with custom made pull behind trailers. This area will be a great place for people to come see what overlanding is all about and talk with some of our overland experts.”

Jeep Jam 2026 also will feature a larger section for young Jeep enthusiasts, including a power wheel kids’ obstacle course offered by Main Street Point Pleasant, inflatables, face painting, balloon animals and an area to sit and color. There is no additional cost for any of the children’s activities.

“We wanted to expand our Junior Jeepers area so that we could really have some fun things for children to do,” Plumly said. “We even have some coloring sheets made from rendering of real members’ Jeeps for children to enjoy. The love of Jeeps starts young and we wanted to offer something to help spark that interest. We hope to see lots of children arrive with their power wheel Jeeps too.”

With an entry fee of $20 per Jeep, Jeep Jam is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Jeep Club. Half of the gate fee goes to the West Virginia Interstate Fairgrounds and the rest is returned into the community through OVJC Cares, the club’s community outreach program.

“We were able to give funding to support local families of children with cancer through BrAva, in addition to donating several Jeeps full of gifts to Toys for Tots,” Jones said. “We also support several veterans organizations.”

For more information about Jeep Jam 2026, go to https://www.ohiovalleyjeepclub.com/jeepjam2026.

The Ohio Valley Jeep Club is among the largest Jeep clubs in West Virginia and Ohio and has more than 8,000 members. The nonprofit club’s mission is to provide support to communities through food bank donations, providing needed items for the homeless and supporting organizations that support veterans and youth.