10th Annual
30A Sand Rover RallY
April 18-21, 2024
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Presented by Land Rover Gulf Coast, this annual family-friendly tradition welcomes over 150 Land Rovers, Broncos, Jeeps, dune buggies, vintage military vehicles, and assorted beach cruisers each year for trail rides, live music and more. Our 2023 rally was sponsored by RMR4x4, Adventure Motor Cars, 34 North Defenders, Storyteller Overland, Visit South Walton, Rustic Mountain Overlanding, Grayton Beer Company, YOLO Board, The Java Can, Rhino-Rack, Maxtrax, and 30A Radio.
In 2024, we’ll have 75 dedicated parking spaces where we displayed special vehicles for guests to enjoy. If you own a super-cool or funky old beach cruiser (Land Rover, Bronco, Jeep, Woodie, VW van, dune buggy, military vehicle, etc.) that you’d like to display at the 30A Sand Rover Rally on April 18-21, 2024, we’d love to hear from you! If your vehicle is selected for a dedicated parking space, you will be notified by February 25th, at which time you will be asked to pay a one-time $40 fee, which includes a dedicated parking space inside the event. If we do not hear from you by March 10th, your space will be made available for another vehicle.
If you think your ride is cool enough to have its own parking space at the rally, please pre-register your vehicle HERE.
Thanks to our 2023 30A Sand Rover Rally Sponsors:
Supporting Sponsors
2023 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday, April 14, 2023
3-5 pm │ Poker Run
Venue: Kith & Kin Coffee
7525 W County Hwy 30A Camp, Store Suite 1, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459, United States
NOTE: Due to a security threat, our stop #5 has been changed from Alys Beach to Grayton Brewery. After your stop at Beach Happy Cafe, please head straight to the brewery.
If you can drive, and able to select a playing card at each location…you can play! Open to the general public, you will receive one free poker hand PER VEHICLE. Get started at Kith and Kin at Topsail Preserve State Park, then make your way East on 30A stopping at each location! Volunteers will be on hand for you to draw cards as you make your way to all 5 poker run stops where you will enjoy some of the local spots on 30A. Once you have finished the Poker Run, you will need to turn your poker hands at Grayton Beer Company by 6pm and once they’re all scored, we will announce winners and award prizes during our Friday night kick-off party Dread Clampitt performing live. This year’s prizes provided by Rhino Rack and MaxTrax.
Our official 2023 Poker Run Locations are:
1. Kith and Kin (Topsail) Participants must go here first to get poker run rules and the official scorecard starting at 3 p.m.
2. Shunk Gulley Liquor (near Gulf Place)
3. Chiringo
4. Beach Happy Cafe
5. Alys Beach near NEAT (please follow directions for this stop)
Please note: you must turn in your scorecard no later than 6 p.m. at Grayton Beer Company 217 Serenoa Rd, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, 32459. The winner will be announced on stage between 7 – 7:30 p.m. Must be present to win.
For more info, or to RSVP, click HERE.
6-9 pm│Kick-off Party
Venue: Grayton Beer Company
217 Serenoa Rd Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459
This pre-party event is FREE, kid-friendly, and dog-friendly. Guests will enjoy live music by Dread Clampitt and there will be food available for purchase. So, come grab a 30A Beach Blonde Ale, hang out with fellow owners and party the night away!
For more info, or to RSVP, click HERE.
Saturday, April 15, 2023
8 am - 3 pm│9th Annual 30A Sand Rover Rally
Venue: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
7525 W County Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459
Saturday’s main event will feature vendors, vehicles on display, food truck by The Spice is Right, special VIPs guests, prizes and awards, and music by 30A Radio. Attendees can also explore our local trails all day long (see trail info below).
8 am – 9 am: Pre-registered vehicles setup
9 am – 3 pm: 30A Sand Rover Rally
10 am – 12 pm: Vehicles judged by VIP Guests
11 am – 1 pm: Speakers and VIP presentations
2 pm – 2:30 pm: Awards Presentation
For more info, or to RSVP, click HERE.
6 pm onwards│After-Party
Venue: Shunk Gulley Liquor & Wine
75 Leisure Ln, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459
Join us for the after-party at the patio at Shunk Gulley Liquor Store. You don’t want to miss the shrimp boil from 4 – 8 p.m. Grab a FREE draft beer when you purchase a plate!
Sunday, April 16, 2023
9-11 am│Trail Rides
Venue: Point Washington State Forest
5865 E. U.S. Hwy. 98, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459-6046
Trail rides through 25,000 acres of protected forests and parks are open to the public.
Sunday’s Schedule:
9 am: Trail rides begin
Venue: YOLO Board Distribution – 73 Veterans Rd, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459
11 am: Trail rides end
Venue: Point Washington Campgrounds
GPS coordinates: (Latitude, Longitude)
30.31694, -86.09889
30°19’1″N, 86°5’56″W
For more info, or to RSVP, click HERE.
11:30 am│Farewell
Venue: North Beach Social
24200 US-331, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459
Join us for a farewell brunch at North Beach Social.
2023's VIP Speakers & Guests
Here are a few of the special guests who joined us for the 9th Annual 30A Sand Rover Rally in April of 2023.
jillian rebekah
Jillian Rebekah is an avid off-road adventurer, podcaster, motivational speaker, and amateur chef.
As the host of the Citizen J Podcast and overlanding content creator, Jillian is on a mission to connect with a community of people who live an adventurous lifestyle as she explores the positive, relatable side of overlanding.
The 9th Annual 30A Sand Rover Rally will be the perfect vehicle for Jillian to connect with, inspire, and motivate the community of Land Rover enthusiasts. Follow her adventures on Instagram (@jillianrebekah).
ALEX BESCOBY
Alex Bescoby is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, writer and presenter from Manchester, UK, with a love of history, travel and storytelling. A Cambridge University history and politics graduate, he has written for BBC News, the Telegraph, National Geographic and Lonely Planet.
In 2019, Alex completed The Last Overland, crossing 23 countries in 111 days in a very badly behaved old Land Rover – his greatest adventure to date. On September 29th 2022, Alex’s debut book – The Last Overland – was released by Michael O’Mara.
JEFF ARONSON
Based in Vinalhaven, Maine, Jeff Aronson has served as the Editor of Rovers Magazine for 28 years. He considers himself “fortunate to meet so many enthusiasts, with their varied backgrounds, professions and interests, all connected by their shared affection for the Land Rover marque.”
Jeff’s Land Rovers include a ‘66 Series IIA 88” SW (owned for 32 years and over 500,00 miles), a ‘67 Series IIA 109” SW, and a ‘97 Discovery I SE7.
DAISSON HICKEL
A U.S. Army Green Beret with almost a dozen tours around the globe, 30A local Daisson Hickel is Director of the 2023 30A Sand Rover Rally.
Daisson is passionate about adventure travel, as well as Defenders and other cool vintage vehicles. He is the founder of The Java Can, the first all-portable field barista kit, which he created on a mountaintop in Afghanistan. Daisson can often be found driving his 110 named “Maggie” along dirt trails and Florida’s Scenic Highway 30A.
Awards Presented By:
COOLEST VINTAGE LAND ROVER
Presented to the coolest old Land Rover in attendance (1990 or older).
FANCIEST RIDE (ANY MAKE/MODEL)
Presented to the vehicle with the biggest WOW factor in terms of customizations.
MUDDIEST RIDE (ANY MAKE/MODEL)
Presented to the vehicle that wears the most mud from the trails.
JUDGE’S CHOICE (ANY MAKE/MODEL)
Presented to the vehicle that catches the judge’s eye for being truly extraordinary.
LONG-DISTANCE ROVER AWARD
Presented to the attendee who traveled the farthest to attend this year’s rally.
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About the Trail Rides
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida features over 25,000 acres of protected land to explore, including Point Washington State Forest and Topsail Hill Preserve Park.
You’ll have a chance to meet and buddy-up with trail partners during the party on Friday night. All drivers are reminded to be responsible and courteous to other drivers and to state property. All activities should adhere to Tread Lightly principles. Vehicles are only allowed on numbered roads and any power line right of ways are off limits.
We’ve also been asked to remind everyone that DRONES are not allowed on any state property. Also, please note that NO ALCOHOL is allowed on state property. Officials will be on patrol in the forest to help ensure everyone’s safety.
Please note that some of the trails in Point Washington State Forest are very narrow. If you don’t like the sound of limbs scratching along the sides of your vehicle, we recommend that you stick to the main dirt roads (see map). If you drive down narrow sand trails, you might not be able to back out, especially if you’re part of a long caravan. Anything on TOP of your truck (flood lamps, luggage, paddle boards, etc.) could easily be damaged on the narrow trails, so please take it slow and easy. Please don’t feel pressured to venture onto these narrow trails. There are plenty of regular dirt roads to explore! This map shows the best access points for trail rides.
Camping
Our local campgrounds fill up fast, so if you plan to camp, please make your reservations as soon as possible. Local camping options include:
Hotels & Rentals Homes
Scenic Highway 30A is home to a very wide range of accommodations, from multi-million dollar beachfront estates to cabins, studio apartments and boutique hotels. Explore some fantastic options on 30A Rentals.
