OAK HILL, W.Va. (WVDN) – Wheeling for Hope is a unique motorsport tourism initiative that brings together off-road enthusiasts from across the region, and it is returning to ACE Adventure Resort for its second year. Presented by Jeep Babes Worldwide (West Virginia chapter), Backroads of Appalachia, and new co-host, 4Fest Events, this three-day adventure weekend will again benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (ASFP). September is National Suicide Prevention month, and WV Jeep Babes founded this event with a dual purpose: to promote suicide prevention and build a supportive community where everyone is welcome.
Set in West Virginia’s beautiful New River Gorge National Park, the weekend offers heart-pounding obstacle course challenges, exhilarating timed races, car show, exclusive training classes, leisurely off-road runs, live music, food trucks, and vendors, plus the numerous adventures on site at ACE. Most off-roading vehicles are welcome, including side-by-sides, UTVs, Jeeps, ATVs, motorcycles, and 4×4 trucks. Attendees without a ride can purchase their own adventure through ACE’s trail system.
Lodging for the weekend includes tent or vehicle camping at ACE’s mountain top campground, with access to bathhouses, spacious bathrooms, picnic tables, and campfire rings all within walking distance of the main event area. ACE also offers safari tents and cabin rentals.
Wheeling for Hope is an event dedicated to supporting the AFSP’s vital work in combating suicide and aiding survivors of suicide loss. According to the most recent statistics from the Center for Disease Control, the national suicide rate is 14.21%. In West Virginia, it is 18.33%. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among West Virginians aged 10 to 34, ranking the state 10th in the nation for suicide in that age group. Provisional numbers for 2023 and 2024 look much the same. Yet, there is hope. An AFSP survey found that 94% of Americans believe suicide can be prevented.
With prevention in mind, the Wheeling for Hope weekend aims to reduce stigma, provide resources, and promote open communication about mental health. Along with adventure and camaraderie, attendees will have free access to mental health support and resources. ACE Adventure Resort is proud to host Wheeling for Hope and support the drive to prevent suicide.
Visit ACE’s website for registration and event info: https://aceraft.com/event/wheeling-for-hope/.
ABOUT ACE ADVENTURE RESORT
ACE Adventure Resort is located adjacent to the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia. It is a 1,500-acre wonderland of adventure activities, with something for everybody. Featuring a springfed lake waterpark full of giant inflatable toys, two smaller lakes just for fishing, and miles of hiking and biking trails. Adventure abounds with whitewater rafting, a renowned zipline, private rock-climbing sites, mountain biking, and more. A family-owned and operated company for 40 years, our small base camp has moved locations once and grown into a world-class adventure resort with deluxe mountain cabins, lakeside dining, and access to spectacular cliffs and scenic overlooks of the New River Gorge. In addition to adventure exploits, ACE offers a wide-range of special events such as the annual Mountain Music Festival, thrilling whitewater events, mud runs, waterpark dance parties, adventure races, trivia nights, and more.
