Offended by the 4wp Truck&Jeepfest, should I be?

[The_Dealer]

I know some of you guys have your opinions about the event, and we all know it's just a big advertisement for all the stuff they sell. I still like to go, just to get out and do something offroad oreinted. I even like checking out the rigs in the parking lot. I mainly go because my son likes to see the rigs and parts on display, and we've gone every year since he was born. To him it's just one of those once a year things we do, and we both have fun...just a positive father/son ritual.

We went today, and I noticed they had a little stand where they sold alcohol. I don't mean just beer, there was liquer and mixed drinks on the menu. It wasn't in the common area of the Cobb Galleria, but in the actual event room. I immediately felt a little offended. Don't get me wrong I like to drink, but there's a time and place. I just don't think it's an event appropriate to serve alcohol at. It's not a "real" truck/jeep show, but rather an advertising event showing products they sell. Imo, not much different than going into Summit and seeing a beer tent...it just doesn't belong. It doesnt look good to have an event put on by one of the most recognized names in the industry, and serving drinks. If it was a big hit and caught on, I could see it turning into an atmosphere more on par with a concert. Although I saw very few people walking around drinking, it just felt like the whole event could head in a bad direction. I wouldn't take my kids into a bar, so why take them into one with a few jeeps parked inside. All it takes is one irresponsible person to be stumbling around half lit to makes the whole community look like a bunch of drunk hillbillies.

I know everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I was wanting to hear opinions from other people in the offroading community. Am I overreacting by being offended that they offered alcohol? The way I see it, you wouldn't drink on the trail, so why do it at something like that. What do y'all think?

[DOUG]

Nope.  Bad place to have a bar but the venue may have insisted on it in the contract.  4wp probably negotiated the lowest price they could get. Just saying there might be more to the story.  Now free drinks would have surely increased sales lol.

[clark123456]

Nope, everyone is entitled to be offended.  I didn't even see the bar, but I still saw a few hillbillies.  Maybe the bar was near the MasterCraft seat booth...which eluded me.

[tcdawg]

Would not have offended me.  But I don't get offended real easy.

I wouldn't drink when I play baseball, but I do when I watch it.

[lt99ls1]

Nope.  Bad place to have a bar but the venue may have insisted on it in the contract.  4wp probably negotiated the lowest price they could get. Just saying there might be more to the story.  Now free drinks would have surely increased sales lol.

X2

[Michigunman]

I wouldn't take offense to it but that's me.  I was there for an hour or so and didn't notice it myself or anyone drinking.  Doesn't sound like they were promoting it much.  Doug could be on to something. 

[The_Dealer]

Thanks for the opinions guys. Doug, I didn't think about that and it seems like you could be right. They did have that bridal show up there as well, so that could have gone along with it. I just saw it as a potential problem if it caught on...2, 3 , or 4 yrs down the road. If some poor guy was dragged to the bridal show and wondered in, it could have a negative impact on the way he looks at wheeling.

Alot of the people I've introduced to wheeling had the impression that we were all a bunch of rednecks getting lit and tearing up the woods. Most of them were hesitant to join me on the trails because of that. No matter where you go you will always come across a group of guys that are irresponsible,  and go around trespassing and tearing/littering up everything. Yet, guys like us get labeled as being like them. That's just how it is with stereotypes from outsiders

[Blue J]

I noticed the bar but it didn't offend me. Seeing street tires offended me. It was exactly what I expected.
The Titan ORT was a welcome surprise. And I learned a bit more about some parts I have on order (Fox Shocks).


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[jeepjunky68]

I don't think it is so much about being offended as it is what kind of example we set for our young generation coming up. Unfortunately everything has become the norm in our current society so not too many people see anything wrong with getting liquored up in front of their kids. Me personally, I will not. I am not anti-alcohol completely but as stated above there is a time and place for it.

I would love to see more kids get involved into building four wheel drive vehicles and learning valuable mechanic skills as this is a lot of fun and educational. Just from some of the posts I have read on this forum, it appears to me that there is a lot of good people on here that believe in being a good example for our kids. Hopefully our leading by example will rub off on others.

[cosimpson]

X2

[Matt]

I don't think it is so much about being offended as it is what kind of example we set for our young generation coming up. Unfortunately everything has become the norm in our current society so not too many people see anything wrong with getting liquored up in front of their kids. Me personally, I will not. I am not anti-alcohol completely but as stated above there is a time and place for it.

I would love to see more kids get involved into building four wheel drive vehicles and learning valuable mechanic skills as this is a lot of fun and educational. Just from some of the posts I have read on this forum, it appears to me that there is a lot of good people on here that believe in being a good example for our kids. Hopefully our leading by example will rub off on others.

You nailed it.

I dont take offense as people can do what they want, this is America. But at this type of event I find it is completely unnecessary and would most likely not purchase that type of beverage, at that time. Now if vendors want to drink it up with customers at an after party in a restaurant or conference room, like at Jeep Beach, bring it on.

[The_Dealer]

I think I may have worded it wrong by saying I was offended. I meant more along the lines of being disappointed in seeing it. I like to put back a few beer myself, so I'm not anti-alcohol or anything. I just think events like that don't need to be associated with drinking.

Jeepjunky68, that's exactly how I feel about it. I'm lucky and got into wheeling at a young age, and my first car was a wrangler. While all my friends were doing questionable things, I was out wheeling and staying out of trouble. Alot of parents these days don't know how, or care to teach their kids the things wheeling teaches you. I try to give back when I can, and have helped a few of the neighborhood kids work on their rigs. I have no problem teaching the guys that will some day be the future of our sport