If someone visits Williamsburg for the first time later this week, then they might get the impression that nearly everyone in town drives a Jeep. This will seem true Thursday, Friday and Saturday as Williamsburg welcomes the 32nd Annual Gateway to the Cumberlands Jeep Jamboree to town.
Assistant Tourism Director Patty Faulkner told the Williamsburg City Council during its monthly meeting Monday that 223 Jeeps and about 400 people, including trail guides, are expected to attend the annual event.
Participants will register Thursday and get their Jeeps inspected prior to a welcome dinner at the Williamsburg Tourism and Convention Center.
Participants will then gather in the parking lot of the Kentucky Splash Waterpark Friday and Saturday mornings before leaving out for trails in southern Whitley County and northern Campbell County, Tennessee, for some off-roading fun.
“It is something to see,” noted Councilwoman Mary Ann Stanfill.
The event is for Jeeps only and registration is now closed.
City officials also discussed several other upcoming events during Monday’s meeting.
There will be a free drive-in movie in the Kentucky Splash Waterpark parking lot on Saturday, Oct. 25, starting at 7:30 p.m. The feature will be a children’s movie, “Nightmare Before Christmas.”
Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison noted that after showing “Haunted House” last year and “It” the year prior, he decided to go with a children’s movie this year.
Also, on Oct. 25, the Kentucky Splash Campground will hold trick or treating. About 4 p.m., judging will start for the costume contest and trick or treating will take place from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. followed by the movie.
Harrison also provided a reminder that trick or treating citywide is being moved this year to Saturday, Nov. 1, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. due to Halloween falling on a Friday.
He said that the Williamsburg High School Football Team will be having their final regular season game of the year that night against Knox Central, which is expected to bring a big contingent of fans. In addition, it will be senior night for Williamsburg.
Because the football stadium is between 10th and 11th streets, which are traditionally two of the biggest streets for trick or treating, Harrison said he thought it best to move trick or treating this year.
Faulkner also announced that the community yard sales are coming back at the Williamsburg Tourism and Convention Center with one planned for Saturday, Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. So far 16 vendors have signed up.
There will be a $5 fee for tables with proceeds going towards the Williamsburg Police Department Shop with a Cop program that takes less fortunate children on Christmas shopping sprees at Walmart each December.
In addition, the annual Christmas Bazaar is planned for Saturday, Nov. 29, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the tourism center. There is a $10 fee for vendors for the first table and a $5 fee for the second table.
Faulkner noted that 42 vendors have already signed up for the bazaar and there is only room for four more vendors as each side of the building will be filled.
In addition, the city will be having the annual chili cookoff in the lobby of the tourism center that day from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Harrison noted that the city had tried moving the cookoff to October previously, which didn’t work out well.
Proceeds from table rentals at the Christmas Bazaar will also go to Shop with a Cop.
Harrison added that the recent Williamsburg Octoberfest celebration went well with three great musical acts performing.
