Today will mark the 21st year of the Jeep Jamboree taking place in Bradford.

On Thursday, 360 participants arrived at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford for vehicle evaluations and check-ins.

Jeep Jamboree USA describes the events as, “(an) off-road adventure weekend that brings together the outdoors, down-to-earth people, and their Jeep 4x4s.”

The history of the Jamboree dates all the way back to 1953, when Mark A. Smith organized the inaugural Jeep Jamboree; he and other adventure enthusiasts traveled across the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the old Rubicon Trail. In 1954, Willys Motors — then the manufacturer of Jeep –– joined in on the adventure and Jeep Jamborees have been a tradition of off-road adventures ever since.”

According to coordinator Jim Gunter, the people, area and venue make Bradford a special place for Jamboree enthusiasts.

“The area is very friendly. When people from out west come to the east coast, and specifically Bradford, they really enjoy the attitudes of the people here much better because they are more friendly,” he said.

Gunter also revealed that the Bradford expedition was sold out within 30 minutes and said that many participants who are not from Bradford, especially those out west, are amazed by the trees and the foliage in the area.

Gunter acknowledged that the community embraces the Jamboree and its participants very well, and that people who visit Bradford remember the community and want to come back.

The first trail ride of the Jamboree is set for this morning at 9 a.m.

Gunter encourages the community to come out and observe the Jeeps as they make their way through Bradford. The last trail ride of this year’s expedition will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday.