San Tan Freeway Opening 06/11/05 - pics and video

[jeepsonly]

I'm not the trip leader for this but I finally got off my rump and downloaded the pics and video I took so I thought I'd post those and some notes.

I have been to 3 of these freeway openings now and this one was by far the most attended (the pics below were taken before the official opening so you won't see many people). There were LOTS of people there and lots of vendors as well. We had a nice little showing of Jeeps (5 total) and gave out all the business cards and several brochures. I met some new people, introduced a few to the AZVJC concept and I think we'll have some new signups from it. The governor didn't stop by this time but I don't think she did much touring.

Thanks to all who showed up and/or donated/lent stuff to make it happen. We had shade, TV, DVDs (thanks 4 Wheelers SUpply!), brochures, business cards, the banner and a generator. And hey, we had Jeeps! One year we didn't even have those. Sorry I don't remember anyone's name but my own (wait...oh yeah that's it). I hear next time we'll probably have a ramp, too.

BTW, these freeway openings can be a lot of fun. Heck, if all you do is park your Jeep and people watch - that can be fun! We were well fed and watered
by the many vendors.

Here are some pics and at the very end is a link for the video. Please download it first and then view it. The video is about 1:45 long and weighs about 4.5 mb. Yes I know there's a funky blurry spot in the middle of some shots. I need to send the camera in for some work.

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1575&stc=1

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1576&stc=1

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1577&stc=1

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1578&stc=1

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1579&stc=1

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1580&stc=1

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1581&stc=1

Video Link (http://www.jeepsonly.com/video/santan_061105.wmv)

Hope to see you at the next Freeway Opening on 6/25/05!

[Crawldit]

Nice work. One of these days I'll make it out to one. We've got too many members to only have a couple jeeps show up.

[1BLKJP]

Nice work fellas.

And bummer that the "Delorean" club got more props than we did. Hopefully we can out do them next time.

[k7mto]

If that movie, Tugger, ever comes out, maybe we can use it to our advantage to attract more folks to the AZVJC booth at future highway openings. That or bolt up a flux capacitor to your junk :D

[jeepsonly]

You mean like this? It was in one of the Deloreans.

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1583&stc=1

[azjeepcjman]

Bill, great job on the pics. I do have the ramp arranged for the next opening on 6/25. We had 13 or 14 people signed up for this one, but ended up with only 4 groups and 5 Jeeps showing up. We would love to see more people come out and help support us. This is one of our best opportunities to get positive info out to the public on keeping areas and trails open and showing that we promote responsible trail use. We have almost 5000 people registered as members in the AZVJC. It really seems sad that we can't get more to come out and spend a morning promoting our cause. It doesn't cost anything, and all of the arrangements have been made in advance. All anyone needs to do is show up.

I had this run posted several weeks in advance, but the runs posted during the week previous to the opening drew many more people than this event.

We are still an unorganized organization that I highly support the format of, but it would seem that maybe once a year a few of the members could help out in an effort to inform the public and help keep trails open. With all of the growth the valley is experiencing it won't be long before we lose more and more of the places we currently have to go out and wheel.

Sorry about my rant but it's frustrating to hear people complain about areas getting closed or restricted, but they aren't willing to help with a little positive publicity.

Maybe a little belated, but a HUGE thanks goes out to the people that did attend, to Bob J for his generator even though he wasn't able to make it, and to the vendors like 4 Wheelers Supply for the use of their dvd's and their support.

[k7mto]

I'd have been there for sure if I wasn't working. I was planning on the one on 7/18 and they went and rescheduled it for a time when I'll be in the God foresaken state of Texas.

I've been to these and can attest to how much fun they are. For folks who aren't aware, there's no need to talk to booth visitors or pitch anything for our cause. Just park your junk and enjoy the huge party. There's tons of stuff to keep the kids busy and good food and music, etc.

I'll most certainly be attending these as they come up later in the year and next year, etc., especially as the road gets closer to my home. Granted, wheelin is more fun, but sometimes this stuff is more important. And, it beats the heck out of sittin on yer butt Saturday morning watching cartoons :rolleyes:

[Hackle]

Wayne I feel your pain on getting more people involved. I sent you an e-mail on OHV brochures I will add most of it to this post so everyone knows I have this stuff available for events.

Wayne, are you planning to have a table of some type that OHV brochures can be displayed and handed out? I ask because as the new ASA4WDC Membership Coordinator I am gathering all the Agencies OHV information booklets so I can add them to welcome packets and make them available at events like yours. I hit Game & Fish today along with the BLM and got a ton of stuff. I will hit State Parks and the Forest Service tomorrow. I already have Saturday planned so I can not attend the event. I can put together a box of assorted brochures for you and meet you Friday afternoon some place. If you are interested let me know.

Jim Florence

This goes for everyone. I will try make these brochures available when ever anybody needs them. My plan at this time is to put together a boxed set of like 30 of everything to make it easy. I want to keep the numbers in the box low so we do not end up with a bunch left over in everyones garage.
Jim F.

[azjeepcjman]

Hey Jim,

I replied to your email. I'll be happy to hand out the info. I went into their office and tried to get some pamphlets from the Forest Service the week before the event, but noone bothered calling me back. Guess the apathy runs deep..... Thank you for all that you do though.