David L.
Ben Franklin: “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt, they have more need of masters.”
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of Charles
Sent: Friday, October 03, 2003 1:15 PM
To: 'The Sandbox Discussion List'
Subject: [Sndbox] Jeep fest on the horizon
Jeep fest on the horizon
Business Writer
Last update: 02 October 2003
DAYTONA BEACH --Frank DeMarchi's obsession with Jeeps began as a teenager driving along the New Jersey shore.
Lately, he realized there's limits to driving in the open air, as when he drove some stuffy, Tallahassee-bureaucratic types around in the back of his Jeep Wrangler. His visitors were wilting in the June heat.
"At that point, I realized I was getting a little old for a Jeep," said DeMarchi, the executive director of the Daytona Beach Partnership, which organizes downtown entertainment and events.
This weekend, Daytona Beach will host visitors enthusiastic for some four-wheel-drive power. They're coming for Jeep Beach, a festival dedicated to the world's most recognizable vehicle.
Like Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Jeeps have a certain mystique. Owners feel like they belong to a club.
"Folks who drive Wranglers wave to each other," DeMarchi said.
Actually, many Jeep owners do belong to organizations. The mystery is why car-crazy Volusia County does not already have its own Jeep Club.
"I presumed there already was one," said Brendan Hurley, owner of Hurley Chrysler Jeep, 2173 S. Woodland Blvd., DeLand.
"We moved to fill that gap immediately," said Hurley, who is organizing a Volusia Jeep club.
Until this weekend, Jeep festivals have primarily been organized in small towns in the Midwest. But with its hard-packed sand and national reputation as a resort community, DeMarchi thought Daytona Beach would be a natural for a Jeep meet.
Because it is a first-time event, DeMarchi said Jeep Beach would be very low key compared to events like Biketoberfest, which is coming up later this month. Most of the planned activities will be at regular attractions, such as a luau dinner at the Hawaiian Inn, tours of the Daytona International Speedway and a Daytona Beach River Cruise.
The real thrill, of course, is the Jeep itself.
Dealers say Jeep owners are very loyal customers. They're into accessories. They have a very strong sense of nostalgia.
A super-sized Jeep, the Grand Cherokee, helped start the SUV craze 15 years ago.
Selling in the $27,755 to $39,770 range, it has become the most popular Jeep, said J.D. Hill, the general sales manager of Jon Hall Jeep/Hyundai, 998 Nova Road.
The Liberty, a smaller version of the Grand Cherokee, was introduced two years ago.
This was kind of Jeep DeMarchi decided to buy after owning four Wranglers, the traditional soft-top Jeep.
"It's the first car I've owned with AC, power windows," he said. "I'm so used to unzipping (windows). What a concept."
Charles Mims
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