At least nearly 1,500 Jeeps will be at the annual Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival in June in Butler County, a number that represents a 35 percent increase from last year.

Festival director Patti Jo Lambert said that registration ended last week, and organizers are preparing for a larger crowd than last year.

Lambert said that 1,068 people last year registered their Jeeps early for the festival, although 1,557 Jeeps eventually showed up.

A total of 1,436 Jeeps have registered this year, and organizers are expecting more to show up during the festival, which will be in Butler on June 13 and at Cooper’s Lake Campground on June 14 and 15.

Jack Cohen, president of the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau, said, “We continue to build upon that rich history of Jeeps and to get Jeepers here to enjoy a great weekend.

“The numbers continue to grow and we’re really, really excited about that. We’re looking forward to everyone coming to town and having a great time.”