Jeep Invasion coming to East Palestine
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EAST PALESTINE - It's been over a month since the Norfolk Southern train derailment sent East Palestine into chaos.
And while much of the country focuses on the bad, others are shining light on the good in East Palestine. That good includes the village business owners, who brought traffic into East Palestine long before the derailment and who will continue to bring traffic in long after it.
On Saturday, that traffic will be a line of Jeeps as the inaugural East Palestine Jeep Invasion is held in the village. The event is being billed as a day of "walking, shopping and eating" and is expected to draw 300 Jeeps into East Palestine.
The initial idea of the jeep invasion --an event well-known in the Jeep community that gives Jeep owners a chance to showcase their own Jeeps and check out others -- was born on social media with a few individuals brainstorming ways to help revitalize the village and shake the stigma that came with the derailment.
"People just weren't sure what to do for this town," said Terry Graleski, one of the event organizers. "Stories surfaced of sports being canceled, appointments with salons and chiropractors being canceled because no one wanted to enter the town."
Eventually, the pitch was made for the get-together of Jeep owners to take place in East Palestine. The suggestion made its way to Don Elzer, owner of Dogs On The Run in downtown East Palestine. Elzer and other East Palestine business owners jumped on board. Plans quickly fell into place and the Jeep Invasion is listed as the village's first event since the railroad disaster.
Jeep enthusiasts from the tri-state area are expected to caravan through the village at 11 a.m. and spend the day in East Palestine with the event set to wrap up at 6 p.m. Jeeps will meet at 50683 Richardson Ave. in Negley before "invading" downtown.
The event is meant to show that East Palestine is open for business. It is also a way for those not directly impacted by the disaster to help the village get back on its feet and have a some fun along the way.
"East Palestine needs to know that people care and want to help them bounce back," Graleski added.
While organizers are hoping for a big turnout of Jeeps, they also hope others in the public come out for a good cause. Everyone is invited to the event and spend the day spending money in East Palestine.