Jeep celebrates 50th anniversary of Easter Jeep Safari in Moab

Photo provied by Casey Currie

SM Headline: Check out the new concept vehicles from Jeep at Moab this weekend

Saturday marked the beginning of the 50th anniversary of Easter Jeep Safari in Moab. The safari is one of the largest annual Jeep trail rides in the United States.

The New York International Auto Show is taking place at the same time as the safari, but Jeep decided to take its concept vehicles to the safari instead of the auto show, said Collin Shaw, the Jeep brand manager for Jeep Cherokee.

“While we are serious about making great cars, we can still have fun with our vehicles,” Shaw said. “We came down to Moab because this is where our customer base is. We like to show people what Jeep wants and what we stand for.”

Shaw said there is a map of the United States at Jeep's booth in Moab. People coming to the safari have the opportunity to mark which state they are from with pins on that map. All of the states, including Hawaii and Alaska, have had pins placed on them by attendees.

One of those pins was put on the map by the Fisher family.

“This is our family vacation,” said Michael Fisher, a second year participant, who is here with his wife and son from Missouri. “It’s just the coolest place. The views are just staggering and breathtaking.”

Fisher’s wife Liz said the people who attend the safari every year are some of the nicest people around.

“It’s just a great community. If you are broken down, everyone is there to help,” Liz Fisher said.

Mike Manley, head of the Jeep brand, said the safari was a great opportunity to unveil its seven new concept vehicles because while it is the 50th anniversary of the event, it is the 75th anniversary of the Jeep brand. Manley said the safari is a great place to push the limit of new vehicles and receive feedback from their loyal customers.

Easter Jeep Safari ends on Sunday. More information about the safari is available at http://www.rr4w.com/.