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Not many events on a national level in the auto industry are able to say they have lasted for decades upon decades. Manufacturers have been around for over a century, but places to showcase products, vehicles, and get generations involved in working on cars and trucks sometimes come and go or go through a rough time.
Custom vehicle shows sometimes have great starts, but then fade away as the industry trends go a new direction. Sometimes that direction comes because of new management, or a new owner. The 4-Wheel Jamboree is no stranger to this, as the sanctioning body has seen their sanctioning body change quite a bit over their near 50-year existence. From Special Events to Family Events, and then Bonnier Corporation, still fans and participants came to the show for entire weekends to enjoy 4×4’s of all kinds.
Unfortunately, just like many events, some years showed struggle and a downturn. When the pandemic hit, the jamborees saw an influx of new faces overseeing the pair of shows they were still able to do, losing one event because of restrictions from Covid-19. Despite new ideas, new show concepts, and some successes, it still felt like it was not getting back to what it was.
In 2024, many of the former owners of the jamborees got the opportunity to group together, invest, and buy the shows back, hoping to bring back what it was.
In three years, fans and participants alike have seen a change for the better. In doing so, the owners listen closely to what people want, especially in the competitions.
The one thing that has been constant since Events Inc. has taken over was simple…more monster trucks.
In the heyday of the jamborees, it wasn’t uncommon to see 10+ trucks in attendance for competition, but as times change, the number of trucks does as well. Since 2016, the average amount of trucks at Bloomsburg alone has been between 6 and 7, and although the trucks brought in have been top-tier and very popular with fans, the amount is what people have wanted increased.
For 2027, the 40th Bloomsburg 4-Wheel Jamboree, Events Inc. is delivering.
On October 28, Events Inc. revealed that next year’s jamboree at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds will have the largest field of trucks since 2013. A 10-truck field is going to welcome thousands of fans, thousands of participants, giving everyone that will pack the grandstand the biggest show they have seen in quite some time. Bloomsburg has long been seen as a stand-out event for monster trucks, from the Triple Crown Series to the Penda era, and even seeing the Monster Nationals and Outlaw Drags make their showing at the famed fairgrounds.
Being able to bring the biggest field in almost 15 years is a big moment, and to celebrate 40 years with a large lineup is a reason to celebrate.
Here’s your field of trucks for 2027:
Mark Hall-Raminator
2027 Ram Laramie Heavy Duty
If there is any certainty about Events Inc, there is sure to be representation from the Ram Trucks group, and the 40th Bloomsburg jamboree is going to be no exception. In fact, the first call after Events Inc. reacquired the jamborees was to Hall Brothers Racing to bring them back for competition.
Once again, the leader of the pack at HBR is back at Bloomsburg, and in doing so will also be celebrating an anniversary of their own.
Hall Brothers Racing will also be celebrating 40 years of competition, dating back to the era when Mark Hall piloted the Big Boss Ford, and when he would have hair that made 80’s rock bands jealous. Along with the anniversary of the team, 2027 will mark 25 years that Hall Brothers Racing will have corporate sponsorship from Ram Trucks, which was originally Daimler-Chrysler in 2002.
There is no question that the HEMI has been providing the fans a long-standing presence as part of the jamboree in that time. Hall himself would manage to take at least one win in Bloomsburg from 2000 until 2015.
The team has also said that Bloomsburg is one of their favorite events to be at because so many friends that come out to support, and even assist, in getting the trucks ready plus setting up the merchandise trailer.
No question, the Hall of Fame driver is ready to roar once more, and his Hall of Fame brother in the pits overseeing the operation is itching to be back at the famed fairgrounds.
Brad Shippert-Against The Grain
2007 Ford F250 Super Duty
The one consistent thing that Events Inc. has done over the last three years is introduce new trucks and drivers that have either never been to the jamboree or have not been in a long time. Bloomsburg again is no different, and it’s a chassis that has a lot of history at the fairgrounds.
Making his jamboree debut is Missouri native Brad Shippert, who’s time as a monster truck driver has been relatively short, but he’s made a different kind of impact.
His truck, Against The Grain, is a chassis that has been in Bloomsburg before, but with a different look. The actual chassis is the original Big Dawg machine that Doug Noelke ran in Bloomsburg between 2002 and 2005, then again in 2017 with the General Tire body.
Shippert himself is a driver that is using the industry in a different platform. The name alone says that with a message that goes beyond just driving a 12,000-pound machine.
The truck itself has verses of scripture on the wrap, and Shippert himself is a man of faith. He also is a very lucky individual as he survived cancer a few years back, including radiation and chemotherapy. His faith and family kept him going, and he still remains blessed to be free of the disease.
A popular truck, especially in an era of 3D and concept bodies, his truck is clean, sleek, and sends a message that can be interpreted by many in their own way.
His way of going against the grain also goes back to his job outside of monsters, as he works on a farm to supply food.
No question, this debut will be well perceived by the Pennsylvania faithful.
Jerry Beck-Dirt Crew
2016 Ram Dump Truck
In a world of “concept” truck bodies, sometimes a style that sticks can be part traditional, part concept, but with a real connection. Needless to say, the “Flying Dump Truck” has fit that bill beyond perfection once Jerry Beck debuted the Dirt Crew in 2015.
A chassis that has been around for over 30 years, dating back to when it was named Nitemare and Screamin’ Demon before going under the knife and getting a completely redone cradle and it’s new identity.
Beck himself ties into the dump truck design very well, as he’s made a career in construction before finding a very plentiful career involving 66-inch tall tires.
The Dirt Crew machine proves that dreams do come true, and Beck proved it by now operating a four-truck team, with the team trucks being all the latest and strongest equipment. However, the original flying dump truck is not only still winning events, but also championships.
In 2026, it was David Olfert showing off his version of the dump truck to the Bloomsburg faithful. But, to celebrate 40 years, it is the man who is the leader of DCT Powersports, and he will have that air horn blaring every time he takes to the track.
Tim Missentis-Maximus
Custom Roman Helmet
No matter what, the 3D and concept bodies are a true theme that have not gone away since first introduced in the early 1990’s. That said, they have gotten more radical and maybe a bit crazy to a certain degree.
But, it’s not often that a concept body can say it started out as a truck, and in the same year went to a completely different look.
A few years back, DCT Powersports introduced the Maximus machine on an F150 Raptor trophy truck, complete with gold accents and even the red mohawk on the top like the helmets from when emperors were battling in the Roman Coliseum. The concept seemed to be a hit with the crowds on its initial tour. It wasn’t till an outdoor event at the Soaring Eagle Casino that the entire truck took on a completely different attitude.
The truck body was gone, and the chassis now donned a true warrior helmet, complete with a shield out front as though it was protecting the face in battle. Since then, Maximus has gotten a new chassis, which debuted in 2024 with another DCT identity, and made it’s Bloomsburg debut last season with then-driver, Jared Smith.
Earlier this year, Smith announced his intention to step away from driving, and currently it is possibly going to be piloted by long-time crew chief and driver on occasion, Tim Missentis, who many know as Mullet. His resume behind the wheel includes time with DCT having subbed in all the team’s chassis, and he also drove and crewed for Bigfoot. Before he began his driving career, Mullet was a long time crew chief for multi-time World Champion, Tom Meents.
Missentis intends on taking this warrior of a truck and defending its turf, or in this case, its dirt.
Chuckie Pauken III-Haymaker
1976 Ford F250
One thing about a jamboree, and a car show in general, is that if one generation is passionate about vehicles, it often can be seen in the next generation or generations after. Whether it’s an old-school type build, or some new technology, the common theme is the desire and craftsmanship, as well as being able to share the passion with family.
Family connections in monster trucks are seen in multitude. Look at the Anderson family with the Grave Digger, and even the Vaters team of Mike and Mikey.
Interestingly, not many father-son duos can say they have competed at one point in Bloomsburg. The Seasock family can say so, as John Seasock has ran at the fairgrounds driving Sudden Impact, T-Maxx, and Batman. His son, JR, ran in Bloomsburg a few years ago with his own namesake, Play’n Hookie. The Vaters team ran a few years together with Black Stallion and Overkill Evolution.
Now, another famous family can add their name to the list.
After previously running in 2006 and 2007 with the Grave Digger, hall of fame inductee, Chuckie Pauken, will get to see his son take to the fairgrounds for the first time. But, he will be doing it with a new name making it’s debut for the jamboree.
CP3 as he’s known will take to the track piloting the Haymaker, ready to throw a few punches and a classic “Chuckie Dance” whenever possible.
Pauken’s chassis has been at Bloomsburg on two occasions, as in 2020 and 2023 it ran as Bad Habit with then-driver, Joey Sylvester. Pauken has since given the truck some updates and improvements, and has shown it can win races and freestyle. Now, he brings it to a historic venue on a historic weekend.
Steven Thompson Jr-Hurricane Force
1976 Ford F100
As if one classic body wasn’t enough for fans, the 2027 Bloomsburg show is bringing in another, and it’s a name that has been to the Jamboree before, but has never competed. Although, the actual chassis has hit the track.
The chassis itself was last in Bloomsburg in 2018, carrying a square body Chevrolet look when Tim Mente ran it as Storm Damage. The team truck, Hurricane Force, would move to a new chassis.
In 2023, Mente suddenly passed away, leaving many questions as to what would happen to his chassis. The newer Hurricane Force, which also saw competition as Carolina Crusher for one special event in North Carolina, would be sold later that year. Steven Thompson, who competed in the newer Hurricane Force, would buy both the name and the original chassis from the Mente family, keeping one of the namesake trucks of the Natural Disaster Racing team going.
Since then, he has shown he can compete with some of the tougher trucks, even in a chassis that is nearing 10 years in competition. But, history has shown that even older chassis are still getting the job done.
Thompson himself has competed in a few different trucks, including Earth Shaker and Taurus, and now will be back in Hurricane Force under his own ownership.
With the lineup for Bloomsburg having some of the toughest on the circuit, maybe having a storm brewing on the track will lead to victory.
Kylie Kent-Frost Bite
Custom Polar Bear
The Bloomsburg Jamboree occurs right in the heart of summer, with the sun high in the sky, and when the heat really begins to be felt. It’s a show where vendors selling water, lemonade, soda and ice cream are making back the costs to reserve a spot for the three-day event.
So why not bring in a truck that looks like it’s meant to be in the snow instead of on the dirt.
This 40th jamboree is bringing in a truck that is looking like a bear…a polar bear. Coming out of the Send-It Motorsports team is the Frost Bite machine, the first appearance for the truck and the team in Bloomsburg.
In doing so, the jamboree is also having a first in 17 years; a female driver.
Kylie Kent, who took to the wheel of the polar bear last year, is making her summer jamboree debut after spending time on Monster Jam the last year. Her truck did not carry the polar bear body, as she traded in a bear for a unicorn as she ran as Sparkle Smash for half the season. The young lady has shown she can win on the big stage and has also held her own on other tours against just as strong competition.
Kent now wants to take a chance at showing that this bear can take a bite out of more than just some salmon.
Jon Zimmer Sr-Uproar
2010 Ford F250 Super Duty
The debuts keep coming for the 2027 jamboree as Send-It Motorsports is coming hard with competition, as the team leader is set to make his competition debut at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds.
A veteran driver of several years, Jon Zimmer has been at the wheel of many of the top trucks over a 20-year career. He has competed at the premier event for Monster Jam, and worked on the independent scene. Among the names Zimmer has ran are just as iconic, from Sudden Impact to Batman, Zombie to Grave Digger, Shock Therapy and Megalodon.
But, one of the two trucks that brought the Send-It team together is the one that the truck crowd in Bloomsburg will get to see. The Patrick Enterprises chassis is clad in a 2010 Ford Super Duty, with a name that is going to bring the crowd straight to its feet.
The Uproar machine has been a hit among all, whether wearing the traditional truck body or the modified nose, Zimmer is showing that the old guard can still compete with the new generation.
Over the years, the uproar among fans has been to get more trucks for the jamboree. Now, they not only get more trucks, but they also get one to recognize the uproar they have been giving for several years.
Jon Zimmer Jr-Terminal Velocity
1941 Willy’s Pickup
As stated earlier, there have been very few father-son combos that can say they have competed at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds. The thing about most of those combos is the dad in the group has ran the jamboree before the son, every time.
The last time a father and son ran the Jamboree together was in 2019. Mike Vaters was at the wheel of Black Stallion. His son, Mikey, piloted Overkill Evolution, culminating in the two replicating a jump the elder Vaters did 20 years prior.
Now, a new family can say they accomplished this feat come 2027.
With his dad already in the lineup, along with another second-generation driver, the entire Send-It Motorsports crew will be in attendance. That means, for the first time, a father-son duo will compete in Bloomsburg at the same event. The younger of the Zimmer family, Jon Zimmer Jr, is bringing his Willy’s pickup to the jamboree for the first time. The ever popular machine, Terminal Velocity, has been a crowd favorite ever since it debuted years earlier with Team Overboard.
When he departed the team, he took the name and joined his dad in building their new team. At the time, a new Concussion chassis was underneath the classic truck, and it won many major events, including one in Charlotte, NC, that ended with “Lil Zim” going for a barrel roll across the finish line.
Since then, the team invested in a newer Majka chassis, debuting it in Wheatland, Missouri, and it proved to withstand all the punishment the young wheelman could dish out.
With three performances slated over three days, Zimmer is going to put the truck to the max limits, and without question is going to leave every fan wanting more.
Driver TBA-Bigfoot
1979 Ford F250
Fans have been asking for it. Fans have been begging for it. Fans from single-digit age to one that have been around since the start of monster trucks have been pleading for it.
In 2027, fans are getting it.
After being away from the jamboree for seven years, the Original Monster Truck is making its way back to Bloomsburg. That is right, what fans have wanted was to see the Bigfoot Ford make a return and show the field what the truck that began an entire industry can do. For the first time since 2019, that is becoming a reality.
In 2020, before the pandemic hit, the jamborees were in a transition period that changed how the infield show was ran. Since then, it’s seen multiple changes before Events Inc. reclaimed its role as sanctioning body. Even in its first year back, it was not truly possible to get the Foot team back with them, due to timing and many events already booked. The same could be said for the following two years.
The questions continued to come, whether in person during the Sunday participant feedback session, or online messages to those overseeing the show. Many even were thinking it was out of the cards after so many years.
Events Inc. staff heard every fan, and for 2027 they have made it a reality.
The Bigfoot team recently had one of their chassis return to the U.S. after an extended stay overseas, giving them a total of four trucks that could be utilized. The newest chassis that they have, Bigfoots 23-25, are all overseas being ran hard and with purpose. It is not yet known who will be piloting the truck in Bloomsburg, but with a fleet of capable drivers, like the husband-wife duo of Darron and Rebecca Schnell, or the second-generation pilot in Cameron Tweedy. There’s Kellen Williams, Caleb Janezich, Erik Steinberg, and even Roger Gauger and Josh Baumgardner that on occasion put a Bigfoot body on their own chassis.
It won’t matter who is behind the wheel of the Bigfoot machine, because the fan reaction to when that blue truck rolls in front of the grandstands will be one that nothing can match.
Do you want to see what these ten machines can do in three racing brackets? Are you wanting to be witness to some spectacular freestyles? Will you join in hanging around the drivers, the trucks, and thousands of custom 4×4 machines spread across the fairgrounds?
The Bloomsburg Fairgrounds will be crawling with lifted, lowered, loud, smoky, and even crab-walking machines on July 9-11, 2027.
Want to show off your truck among the thousands on the grounds? Register your ride, park inside the gate, and bring home some goodies for doing so.
Come celebrate 40 years of 4×4’s with the biggest truck show outside of Carlisle.
