Jeep Fest a star attraction
The annual Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival has morphed into one of Butler County's most recognizable events even though it's only been around since 2011.
It will be June 12-14 this year.
The festival, sponsored by the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau, celebrates Butler as the birthplace of the Jeep. It has attracted tens of thousands of spectators each year.
The festival will begin June 12 with a parade of Jeeps and ends that evening with the annual Jeep Invasion in downtown Butler where hundreds of Jeeps park for visitors to see.
This year's parade and invasion will hold even more importance as organizers attempt to break a record for most Jeeps assembled in one place.
That record, first set by the Bantam festival in 2011, was broken several weeks ago by a group in Florida. Bantam organizers hope beat that record this year, which now is at more than 1,800 Jeeps.Jeep enthusiasts will gather at Cooper's Lake Campground all three days to take their vehicles through mud pits and over other obstacles as well as participate in other activities.This year's festival also will recognize the 75th anniversary of the creation of the Jeep.Those in attendance will have the chance to learn about Jeep history, eat at a pig roast and run in a Bantam Jeep Muddy 5k race.There also will off-site excursions for festivalgoers, including the Moraine trail ride.To learn more about the festival, visit its website at www.bantamjeepfestival.com.
