Annual 4-Wheel Jamboree Revs Up In a New Location
Monster trucks, 4x4s, custom trucks or the daily driver – if you have something with four-wheel drive, you can join the fun at the annual 4-Wheel Jamboree this September.
If you don’t, don’t let that stop you. There’s plenty to see for spectators too.
The 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals will come to the Hendricks County Fairgrounds and Complex Center for the first time this fall after more than 30 years at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
Chief Revenue Officer at Events Inc., Andy Knapp, says to think of it as a motorsports event meets a truck show meets the world’s largest tailgate party.
“This event is really for anyone who likes an outdoor festival,” he says. “By September, the festival season is starting to slow down, and it’s like an end-of-summer celebration at an incredible venue.”
Monsters of Destruction (M.O.D.) will be on hand with seven monster trucks and four shows over the weekend.
On Friday, monster trucks will qualify for the racing brackets and compete in a Best Trick competition. Saturday will feature monster truck racing rounds up to the semifinals, followed by all seven trucks competing in Freestyle. Sunday will cap off the event with the final round of monster truck racing, followed by two-truck tandem freestyle performances.
On Saturday, the Indiana Pulling League and Indiana Truck Pullers Association will showcase four classes of big machines and compete for a full pull and a spot in the Pull-Off finale.
With multiple events happening over the three-day weekend, perhaps what’s most unique is that the average truck enthusiast can get involved too. Register beforehand if you want to see just what kind of power your truck or 4×4 has compared to a competitor.
“The Mud Bog is a four-foot, soupy mud pit. We do six different types of truck classifications throughout the weekend, and the goal is to get all the way through it with your vehicle and also to be the fastest,” Knapp says.
The Tuff Trucks competition invites drivers to try their hand at the monster truck course with their own truck. Both Stock and Modified Stock will compete. Competitors make a timed qualifying pass in each lane, with those times setting the field for eliminations.
The Side X Side racing is popular too. Bring your UTV and test your equipment and driving skills against another Side X Side in two-seat and four-seat classes.
Monetary prizes will be awarded for the Tuff Trucks and Side X Side competitions, but that’s not all.
“We have a burnout competition sponsored by Yokohama and Tire Rack, and that’s always fun,” Knapp adds. “People burn out their tires down to nothing for a chance to win a set of tires.”
For those who don’t want to burn out their tires or drag their truck through the mud, there’s a category for you too – the Show-N-Shine.
Awards include Best Make, Best Interior, Best Paint, Best Engineered and more.
Not only is it fun to show off your favorite four-wheel-drive vehicle, but all of the events your average truck enthusiast can join come with some sort of recognition and can even lead to cash prizes.
“People enjoy participating in the events because they can go home with money or trophies or in-kind products,” Knapp adds. “We have a lot of merchandise vendors and companies that donate prizes too.”
With all of the events testing the limits of vehicles both professional and amateur, there’s another entire show going on outside of the arena.
Car fans can check out the most recent developments in restoring, modifying and caring for the vehicle you own or hope to own someday among the dozens of specialty vendors set up all weekend long, or you may just enjoy the food and entertainment.
“There will be 60 different vendors with all kinds of fair-like food,” Knapp says. “There are always more than 2,000 trucks on display. Some of them are $100,000 trucks or more, and others are the typical daily driver. All of those are professionally judged. Visitors will be able to check out the latest and greatest in manufacturers. It’s the best of both worlds.”
All 4x4s are welcome, even if you don’t want to participate in a competition or the Show-N-Shine. A cruise route is established, and throughout the day, hosts expect to see trucks cruising around all weekend. Think of it as a parade of off-road enthusiasts.
In addition, visitors and participants can camp at the fairgrounds over the weekend. With easy access to the live shows and vendor row, it’s an entire weekend full of fun and 4-wheels.
Knapp says the hosts at Events Inc. are looking forward to the change in venue and believe fans of the event will enjoy it too.
“One of the reasons we moved to the Hendricks County Fairgrounds was the absolutely beautiful, shaded property,” he says. “I think, if anything, we’ll increase our attendance numbers. We’re really excited to be here in 2025.”
The 44th annual 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals is Sept. 19-21 at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds and Complex Center. Visit 4wheeljamboree.com/event/fall/ for a complete schedule or to register for your favorite event.
