BOLIVAR PENINSULA, Texas — Every year thousands make their way to Crystal Beach for the biggest jeep event in the world. It's known as "Go Topless" weekend because drivers take the tops off their Jeeps and cruise the beach.
This year, the weekend started on Wednesday, but Friday is the day the crowds really start to show up.
Shawn Johnson and Matthew Kless were there Thursday to stake their claim on a spot for the weekend. They were there with their jeep club, "Yet Another Jeep Club."
This is Johnson's fourth or fifth year attending the event. For him, it's all the fun that keeps him coming back year after year.
"It started out as a jeep event, you know, take your tops off for summer and everybody comes out and we have a great time," Johnson said.
Kless has been attending for three years now. He loves hanging out with friends, relaxing and letting all the stress of the other part of the year go away.
"It's just one happy jeep family, and you make friends, exchange information, and look them up on Facebook or wherever," Kless said.
Freda Rennick was there with her family. Her son recently bought his own jeep. This is the second time they've come out for "Go Topless" weekend.
"The most fun part is actually watching the people that drive up and down the beach. You have literally people from all walks of life and expressing themselves in all shapes and forms," sad Rennick
Corey Ambrose owns a gun store, Topshelf Arms, in Dayton. He's been a jeep lover for most of his life. He said "Go Topless" is an experience you have to see for yourself. This is his first time back in the past few years, but before that he was there every year for about five years straight.
"This year we actually had the people, the crowd, the friends that want to come down and enjoy and we just had time to set it up," said Ambrose, "It's the party of the party."
More information on "Go Topless" weekend can be found on the Bolivar Peninsula website.