More than 1,000 Jeeps expected to kick off 2nd annual festival
Based on registrations to date, more than 1,000 Jeeps will invade Butler starting Friday to kick off the second annual Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival.
The Jeep Invasion will resemble a street party with roads and nearby parking lots filled with Jeeps of every make, model and year. The event will begin at 6 p.m. and is sponsored by Butler Health System.
“Last year we created a new Guinness World Record for the longest parade of Jeeps, with 1,106 participating,” said Patti Jo Lambert, festival director.
“This year we are creating a street party so Jeep enthusiasts from around the world can come together for this homecoming event. Last year's participants were amazed at all of the people who came out to see the Jeeps, and we hope our region's residents will once again welcome them home.”
Here are details of what will occur Friday.
Jeep parkingJeeps can check in at the Clearview Mall in Center Township on Thursday evening and all day Friday.Parking on several downtown streets will not be permitted until after 2 p.m. Friday. Jeep parking will begin at 3 p.m. when registered Jeeps will be permitted to enter the Invasion area by way of the intersections at Main and Wayne streets and at Main and Pearl streets.Traffic detours will go into effect at 3 p.m.Events will run from 6 to 10 p.m.Jeeps will be parked on Main Street, East and West North Street, East and West Jefferson Street, and East and West Cunningham Street.Jeeps also will be parked in other parking lots throughout downtown.
EntertainmentThe Jeep Invasion will feature several types of entertainment.Butler Downtown will present its Centre City Summer Jam from 6 to 10 p.m at the West New Castle Street Plaza. Performers will be Ben Valasek, Kid Icarus, and Moon Drag.The Associated Artists of Butler County and the USO will kick up their heels at a 1940s Dance Party at The Art Center, 344 S. Main St. Dancers from the Euphoric Ballroom of Butler will give demonstrations of popular 1940s dances such as jitterbug and swing.These performances will start at 6 p.m. A $1 dance will be offered for those who want to learn a few steps from the dancers.When demonstrations are not taking place, there will be open dancing for those who want to give it a try. A best dancer competition also will be held.In addition, the USO will offer a salute to our troops by providing cards to send messages to soldiers overseas.Admission is $5 per person. Fifty percent of the profits will go to the USO, the other half to The Art Center.Also, four DJs who will be located between Pearl and Wayne streets will fill the downtown air with a variety of popular music.FoodDowntown restaurants are making plans to feed the hundreds of Jeep owners and visitors who are expected to invade Butler.“Last year's Jeep Festival was such a success and brought people from all over into Butler,” said Chelynne Curci, Butler Downtown's Main Street manager. “Businesses are excited to welcome back the community of Jeepers with the Jeep Invasion street party.”In addition to the restaurants, there will be several vendors on the streets offering a variety of foods.
Festival itemsFestival merchandise was a hot commodity in 2011.“We sold out of 1,000 T-shirts in just a few hours last year,” said Lambert. “We are planning a wide variety of merchandise to offer to attendees so they can have something special to take home with them to remember the event.”Two festival merchandise shops will be set up downtown during the Invasion.
