2020 OBX Jeep Jam Canceled Due to Covid-19
Jeep Jam joins a long list of automotive events that have been canceled because of these uncertain times.
The unrelenting Coronavirus pandemic has claimed another entertainment victim, this time in the automotive events space. This year’s OBX Jeep Jam has been canceled. Planners say the event, which was scheduled to take place in late September, is anticipated to make a return in 2021. Organizers note that all ticket purchases will be refunded automatically and say that any vendor fees paid by participants will be refunded at the point of sale.
Time Is of the Essence
The move to cancel now makes sense, as it gives organizers, presenters, and attendees to prepare. It’s also likely that, even if the event had been scheduled to continue as planned, local officials would have shut things down quickly. Recent videos and reports of large gatherings in the area have drawn sharp criticism from officials in the Outer Banks and elsewhere. The area has seen a number of controversial gatherings over the last few weeks, one of which resulted in several confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Local Economies Will Suffer
The event drew over 2,500 Jeep enthusiasts to the area last year, so the cancelation is sure to hit home with locals’ pockets as well. Nags Head officials said that the second-annual OBX Jeep Jam that took place in 2019 was a success for nearby hospitality businesses, as more than half of the event’s attendees stayed in a local hotel for three days or more.
The OBX Jeep Jam joins a long and growing list of automotive events that have been canceled due to the pandemic. The North American International Auto Show, the Detroit Auto Show, and many others have all been canceled or postponed. One of the world’s largest auto shows, the Geneva Motor Show, was not only canceled for 2020, but also acknowledged that it would be impossible to safely hold the 2021 show.