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Four jeeps covered in mud.
Jeeps wait for their turn to take on the course at the Athens County Fairgrounds again. [Talia Milewich | WOUB]

Jeeps invaded the Athens County Fairgrounds to have fun in the mud for a good cause

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Right at the sound of “go” Jeeps were zooming over hills, splashing through mud and even flying through the air. 

At the Athens County fairgrounds earlier this month, Jeep Invasion brought Jeep lovers from across the state together to have some fun — all for a good cause.

Jeep in the air going over a hill.
A contestant flies through the air over the obstacle course at the Athens County Fairgrounds. [Talia Milewich | WOUB]
“We’ve been playing in mud ever since I was that tall and big enough to do it. Now we’ve turned it into a hobby, and now we’ve turned that hobby into something that we can give back to the community,” Kevin Yost said.

Yost has been jeeping for around 45 years and spent the weekend showing off his jeep skills while supporting the local first responders. All proceeds made at the event go toward York Township’s Box Five Rehab Unit.

Organizer and volunteer firefighter Dawn Deputy says Box Five fully relies on donations for support. “When we do controlled burns they come out, set up tents for us to sit under, cooling fans, water, Gatorade, snack, just stuff that we need to rehab to be ready to go and fight fire,” Deputy said.

This is Athens County Jeep Invasion’s third year and the first time it’s been upgraded from a one-day to a three-day event. Each year the organizers choose an organization to send proceeds to.

Deputy says it’s important to give back to the community through events like these. The previous year’s even supported the Athens County Back to School Bash and prior to that proceeds were donated to Ohio’s Pink Ribbon Fund.

“There were, today I believe, five different Jeep clubs that were here and they were all here for one reason, not for themselves, not for the clubs, but here to support the firefighters,” Yost said.

The weekend-long event included a competition among Jeep clubs across the state.

Four people hold their winning certificate in front of their jeep.
Winners of the 3rd Annual Athens County Jeep Invasion York Twp Box 5 pick. [Photo courtesy of Dawn Deputy]
The clubs were encouraged to bring in the most members to the invasion, and the one with the most registered Jeeps won “The clash of the clubs” award. 

The weekend also included Jeep races, obstacle courses, barrel racing and many more events that left the cars in need of a wash. 

“Get out here and get muddy, come out here with friends and have a good time, and turn right around and give that money to the first responders,” Yost said.