When parents land on a bumpy dirt road with three kids in the back, it’s usually a mistake.
For Chad and Tiffany Johnson, that’s not a mistake. Those were the plans for the long weekend. The family takes pleasure in rocky back roads, and even drives a hundred kilometres to see them.
Chad, his wife Tiffany, and their three-year-old, six-year-old, and 13-year-old drove to Courtenay May 19 for “Jeepapalooza.”
The off-roading and camping event just five minutes north of Courtenay brings hundreds of outdoorsy folk together each year. Travellers from the province and beyond park their vehicles at a home base (this year at the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds), set up camp for the weekend, and get ready to drive.
“Mainly jeeps,” Chad told the Record. “But we don’t discriminate.”
Chad was trail co-ordinator this year. He helped organize dozens of people that rose at 7 a.m., started their Jeeps, and rode off the campground in single file.
The off-roading event split into three groups, Chad said. Drivers with experience might go to a rocky, steep face near Wolf Lake. Newer drivers might wheel up old logging roads.
After about seven hours, everyone returns to the campground.
The main selling point of Jeepapalooza might be off-roading and camping, but guests are happy to say they’re also raising charity money.
There’s a variety of fundraisers on site, including raffles, silent auctions and 50-50 draws. Each year, the proceeds go towards the BC Cancer Foundation.
Donations totalled $50,000 this year, according to event president Belinda Jackson.
The fund will be written into a donation cheque at the Victoria location of the cancer foundation.
Jeepapalooza took place from Friday (May 19) to Sunday, with an estimate of between 300 and 700 guests.
connor.mcdowell@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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