Pinned In Pennsylvania: Full Send At The 2026 Summer 4-Wheel Jamboree

It was foot-to-the-floor at the 2026 Summer 4-Wheel Jamboree in more ways than one. From hard-charging competition action to a Show ‘N’ Shine packed with awesome 4x4s, the annual gathering in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, had something happening in every direction. We were there to catch it all.

Over 15,000 Spectators And Almost 2,000 4x4s

If you like formalities, here you go: The event’s official name was the 39th Annual Steve Shannon 4-Wheel Jamboree Summer Nationals. Most folks, however, simply call it the Summer Jambo. It’s remarkable that the event celebrated its 39th year in 2026, making it one of the longest-running 4×4 events in the U.S.

The three-day event drew 15,241 spectators, an impressive 10 percent increase compared to last year. Also notable is the participant count, which reached 1,997, up 24 percent compared to 2025.

But those numbers only tell part of the story. In the three years since Events Inc. took ownership of the Summer Jambo, spectator attendance has skyrocketed 52 percent. Even more impressive, participation has exploded by a whopping 81 percent.

Does that make the Summer Jambo one of the fastest-growing automotive events in America? Maybe. But one thing is certain: This Jambo is on the gas, fueled by 4×4 fans.

From Mainstream To Oddball 4x4s

The Summer Jambo packed in plenty to keep 4×4 enthusiasts entertained, and one of the biggest draws was the Show ‘N’ Shine. Hundreds of 4x4s filled the fairgrounds, some polished to perfection and others proudly wearing trail tattoos and dirt. Vintage iron was well represented with rigs like a 1964 Chevy K20 and 1986 Chevy Silverado. There was also an assortment of wonderfully weird machinery. That included an AMC Gremlin 4×4, a Chevy S10 Blazer wearing 1957 Chevy Nomad styling cues, and a diesel-powered 1958 Lyn Airvan converted to four-wheel drive and diesel power.

The Summer Jambo Brought The Action

The Summer Jambo served up a full itinerary of 4×4 action. The tally included seven classes of mud bog racing, daily Monsters of Destruction monster truck racing and freestyle, side-by-side racing, the Pull Off Productions Sled Pull, Tuff Truck racing, the National Tire & Wheel Burnout Competition, and more.

Adding even more horsepower to the 2026 Jambo was Dennis Anderson of Grave Digger monster truck fame, who rolled in with his King Sling mega-truck. Anderson signed autographs at the King Sling booth, but also climbed behind the wheel to mash the throttle. Fans watched him hammer King Sling through the mud pit and put its power to work yanking the sled during the truck pulls.

Vendors Galore

Another Jamboree staple is the Performance Marketplace, and it remains a popular attraction. At this year’s Summer Jambo, it stretched for several blocks and featured a wide variety of vendors. Companies included Mickey Thompson Tires, National Tire & Wheel, Skyjacker Suspensions, Steve Shannon Tire Company, Nitto Tire, Ram Trucks, Toyo Tires, Venom Power Tires, and many more.

In fact, Steve Shannon Tire Company had technicians and equipment on hand so participants could purchase new tires and have them installed right at the Jamboree. It seemed like every time we rolled by the company’s booth, 4x4s were up in the air getting new treads.

Fireworks, A Cruise Route, And Even A Bar

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention a few more features of the Summer Jambo. Events Inc. made sure there was plenty happening beyond the horsepower, with games for kids and adults, the Jambo Roadhouse bar, and a Saturday night fireworks show. There was even a dedicated cruise route where participants could put their 4x4s on parade and show off their rides.

Wide Appeal

Based on what we saw, the 2026 Summer Jamboree was a win. Apparently, participants thought so, too. For example, John Drumheller traveled 1,026 miles one way to the event, which earned him the Longest Distance Award.

It’s also notable that the event has a draw that spans generations. Case in point: The oldest registered participant was 83-year-old Russel Graef, and the youngest was 17-year-old Jon English. It’s worth noting that English also took home the award for Best Military Vehicle with his 1968 Kaiser Jeep M35 6×6, which is decades older than he is.

The final Jamboree of 2026 is the 45th Annual Tire Rack 4-Wheel Jamboree Fall Nationals Driven by Yokohama, which takes place September 18-20, 2026.

Photos by Jeff Luckey and Ken Brubaker