Huckfest 2014 at Oceano Dunes SVRA

Family-Themed Huckfest Happens Without a Hitch

Huckfest photoThousands of spectators and off-highway racers gathered at Oceano Dunes SVRA for the 6th annual truck-jumping contest known as “Huckfest.” The event, held on October 17 and 18, 2014, was a huge success.

Huckfest started in 2008 as a small dune jumping competition amongst truck enthusiasts. Organized by brothers Manuel and Johnny Garner from Nipomo, CA, Huckfest draws fans and competitors from around the world. As the event became more popular, the organizers added live music, concessions, vendors, and exhibitions. The event is especially popular with families, who camp out, barbeque, and enjoy the festivities all weekend.

Bands kicked off the event on Friday. On Saturday morning, competitors test-drove their vehicles to prepare for the afternoon contest. Each competitor performed three measured jumps off a sand dune ramp. The vehicle with the longest recorded jump won the highly-coveted bragging rights. During breaks, monster truck and motorcycle exhibitions kept the crowd entertained. Mike Higgins of Michigan was the overall winner with a distance of 146 feet.

Huckfest PhotoWhile the growing popularity of Huckfest provides an economic boon to the region, it puts a strain on park resources and the community. This year, a multiagency planning team worked over a 10-month period to address concerns about traffic, environmental compliance, and visitor expectations. The extra planning efforts paid off and resulted in a safe and fun-filled event that created a wealth of community support and interest. [10/29/14]