“Ready! Set! Roll!” is the official tagline for the ever-growing and popular annual Jeepin the Coast (JTC) event, and this year’s JTC is just around the corner!
JTC is scheduled to take place from Wednesday, May 29, and will wrap on Sunday, June 2. Over the years, Long Beach has served as the major hub for this annual gathering of Jeeps and Jeep enthusiasts, and this year is no exception. Some JTC events will be taking place in other cities, such as Pass Christian, but Jeep Central will again be located at 506 Jeff Davis Avenue in Long Beach, where Jeeps will be on display, as well as JTC and Jeep-related merchandise for sale at the JTC Vendor Village, along with information about this year’s event and more.
On the first day, Wednesday, May 29, early bird arrivals can pick up their registration from 3 to 7 p.m. in Pass Christian at a Hawaiian-themed Luau Kick Off Party set to take place at the Pass Christian Harbor located at 115 South Market Street. Food, kids’ games, music and more will all be part of the kick off festivities. There will also be a Hooters Hot Wing Eating Contest at 4:30 p.m. and live entertainment by Aaron Foret from 5 to 8 p.m., a concert hosted by the City of Pass Christian. Attendees are encouraged to wear tropical shirts and bring their own chairs to the event. The JTC Scavenger Hunt will also begin. Scavenger Hunt Cards will be included in the registration swag bag.
On Thursday, May 30, day two of the event, registration pick-up continues at Jeep Central from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Long Beach. The Scavenger Hunt and Go Duck children’s game continues, as well. Live music by Ryan Foret & Foret Tradition, as well as a Light and Sound Competition, will be held at a Thankful Thursday with Costumes 4 A Cause (C4AC) at Sully’s, located at 1316 30th Avenue in Gulfport from 6 to 9 p.m. Jeeps must be pre-registered for the Light and Sound Competition, and need to register at the white registration tent at Jeep Central in Long Beach no later than 3 p.m. on May 30. The competition is limited to thirty. The C4AC silent auction and raffle tickets will be available for purchase, followed by live entertainment at an After Party, scheduled to start at 10 p.m. at Tripletails, located at 113 South Beach Boulevard in Bay St. Louis, wrapping up day two’s festivities.
The JTC Vendor Village will be open at Jeep Central, located at 506 Jeff Davis Avenue, on Friday, May 31, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday, June 1, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. T-shirts, tank tops, beach towels and event hats will be available for purchase for $25. Trucker hats can be purchased for $30. A JTC metal badge is available for $20, and extra event koozies cost $6. Registration can be picked up here, too, on both Friday and Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Also on Friday, the Go Duck children’s game and Scavenger Hunt continue.
The Poker Run begins on Friday at 10:30 a.m. and will also be held on Saturday at 2 p.m. Poker cards can only be turned in on Saturday between 2 and 4 p.m.
Also on Friday, Jeepers will be able to cruise the sandy beaches of Long Beach from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Beach Crawl. Show and Shine judging will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. Competing Jeeps must be in designated parking no later than 1:30 p.m. on Friday. Show and Shine parking will be located behind the stage at Jeep Central on Jeff Davis Avenue. There are limited entries for Show and Shine, and competitors must be registered to participate.
There will be a Friday night concert from 7 to 11 p.m. at Jeep Central. The 3C Band will perform live music on the main stage at Jeep Central, located on Jeff Davis Avenue in Long Beach. A fireworks show will follow, as well as an after party with live entertainment at Tripletails in Bay St. Louis, starting at 10 p.m. Saturday night.
On day four, Saturday, June 1, last chance for registration pick up takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Jeep Central. Vendor Village will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Jeep Central. The Beach Crawl continues in Long Beach from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., as well as the Scavenger Hunt. The Poker Run will also continue, and cards must be turned in between 2 and 4 p.m. at the white tent located at Jeep Central on Saturday.
A Block Party will be held at Jeep Central on Saturday. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs and stake out a good spot for the Annual JTC Jeep Mardi Gras-Style Parade which will take place at 6 p.m. on Jeff Davis Avenue. Parade package pre-registration is required for Jeeps and Jeepers who want to ride in the parade procession. Jeep parade participants must be lined up behind the Harper McCaughan Town Green no later than 5:15 p.m. on Saturday and must have a parade decal on their window. All parade drivers must also pass an alcohol breathalyzer test.
Concert in the Streets will kick off at 7 p.m. at Jeep Central on Jeff Davis Avenue in Long Beach and will continue until 10 p.m. Those who plan to attend are asked to bring their chairs.
On the final day, Sunday, June 2, day five of JTC will wrap with an early morning church service from 9:30 until 10 a.m. at the Harper McCaughan Town Green in Long Beach. Participants are asked to bring their own chairs.
Scavenger Hunt cards must be turned in between 9 and 10:45 a.m. across from Coastal Daiquiri, off Jeff Davis Avenue in Long Beach, under the white tent. The drawing begins at 11 a.m. No cards will be accepted after 10:45 a.m.
Only Jeeps will be allowed to drive on the beach, in the parade and in the JTC events.
Pre-registration has wrapped already, but on-site registration costs $100 and is a one-time fee - not including the JTC Jeep parade participant fee, which is an additional cost for those wishing to be part of the parade procession - that covers the Jeep and all passengers with seat belts. T-shirts for on-site registration will be available while supplies last.
JTC unites thousands of Jeep enthusiasts from all around the United States during its an annual five-day Jeep event on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, which offers twenty-six miles of beautiful, white sandy beaches. There are multiple family-friendly events for Jeepers to hang together at or to branch off into their own adventure throughout the Gulf Coast.
For more information, visit JeepinTheCoast.com.
JEEPIN’ THE COAST EVENTS:
Jeep Central and Vendor Village
506 Jeff Davis Avenue, Long Beach
Jeepin’ the Coast 2024 events* include:
Wednesday, May 29
3-7 p.m.
Registration pick-up and kick-off luau with music, food, contests and more
200 Davis Avenue, Pass Christian
5-8 p.m.
Live entertainment by Aaron Foret
200 Davis Avenue, Pass Christian
Thursday, May 30
8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Registration
Jeep Central, Long Beach
6-9 p.m.
Thankful Thursday, and Light and Sound Competition, live music
Judging starts at 8 p.m.
Sully’s, 1316 30th Avenue, Gulfport
10 p.m.
After party with live entertainment
Tripletails, 113 South Beach Boulevard, Bay St. Louis
Friday, May 31
8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Registration
Jeep Central, Long Beach
9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Jeepin’ the Coast Vendor Village
Jeep Central, Long Beach
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Beach Crawl, Long Beach
2-4 p.m.
Show and Shine
Jeep Central, Long Beach
5 p.m.
Show and Shine Awards
Jeep Central, Long Beach
7-11 p.m.
Live music by 3C Band, fireworks show
Jeep Central, Long Beach
10 p.m.
After party with live entertainment
Tripletails, 113 South Beach Boulevard, Bay St. Louis
Saturday, June 1
8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Registration
Jeep Central, Long Beach
9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Jeepin’ the Coast Vendor Village
Jeep Central, Long Beach
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Beach Crawl, Long Beach
6 p.m.
Jeep-Parade, Mardi Gras Style
Downtown Long Beach, Jeff Davis Avenue
7 – 10 p.m.
Concert in the Streets and Block Party with live music by Kings of Neon
Jeep Central, Long Beach
Sunday, June 2
9:30 - 10 a.m.
Church Service
Long Beach Town Green
* Event details are subject to change, and additional events may be planned that are not listed. Visit Jeepin’ the Coast on Facebook for a full list of events and event updates.
