Andrew Pennington, 4, from West Sunbury plays with his toy Bantam Jeep during the 2012 Bantam Jeep Festival's invasion of downtown. This year's event also includes a stop along Butler's Main Street on Friday night.

WORTH TWP — The Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival is ready for the third annual event celebrating Butler as the birthplace of the Jeep.

New this year, the festival will occur over three full days, Friday through Sunday, at Cooper's Lake Campground.

The cost there is $7 per adult per day and $3 for children ages 3 to 12.

“We're excited to grow the event into three days so Jeepers can make the festival be part of a new Father's Day weekend tradition,” said Patti Jo Lambert, festival director.

“The additional day gives Jeep enthusiasts the chance to have more fun with their family, whether they spend all three days in Butler County or attend the festival and then return home for other family activities.”

The event will feature the popular Jeep Invasion in downtown Butler on Friday night as well as a new off-road playground, mud pit, rock crawl, trail rides, WWII encampment, history displays, national vendors, how-to clinics, and a flea market.

Three days of activities

Three days of activities new and old will now take place at Cooper's Lake. The festival will open each day at 9 a.m. June 14 to 16 and will close at 4 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday.

The property at Cooper's Lake will give off-roaders the chance to try new challenging trails.At least five trails will be offered for both stock and intermediate Jeeps. Some trails will offer additional challenges for those with Jeeps equipped to handle such obstacles.Each trail will be nearly triple the length of those previously offered.

The Mystery Road Rally and Jeep Team Challenge activities are expanded to more hours on all three days to accommodate more participants.The rally is a scavenger hunt that takes Jeepers on routes throughout Butler County where they need to answer questions about places along the route.The Jeep Team Challenge features fun obstacles for a driver and passenger to do together. Last year's teams had fun playing “broom ball,” driving in reverse and smashing water balloons, among other activities.Prizes will be awarded to the winners of both the Road Rally and Team Challenge.

Jeepers can enjoy a drive on the county's scenic back roads and also learn about the area's geologic history.Three groups of Jeeps will visit three interesting geological formations made by glaciers that covered the area during the last Ice Age.Interpretive staff from Moraine and McConnells Mill state parks and the Jennings Environmental Education Center will offer a short hike and share details about each feature. This activity is for all ages.

Trophies will be awarded in most Show 'n Shine classes, giving Jeepers more chances to take home a prize they can display. All winners will be determined by judges, with the exception of Best of Show which will be voted on by the registered participants.Kids of all ages will want to join in the fun and participate in the Little Jeepers Show 'n Shine.Wooden toy Jeep kits will be available to buy via the online store and at the event. Jeeps can be painted and modified in any way and brought to the event for the competition or they can be painted on–site.Prizes will be awarded in various classes.

Several free competitions are planned for all participants, including a teeter totter. A trophy will be awarded to the first place male and female participant.

The fun on Saturday night will include the Great Pig Out, featuring an all-you-can-eat pig roast with all of the trimmings.Jeep owners can hang out with new Jeep friends around a huge bonfire and listen to the sounds of a live band.Tickets to the Great Pig Out must be bought in advance and are required for entry to the band and bonfire.Registered campers at Cooper's Lake Campground also can enjoy the band and bonfire.Father's Day will start off Sunday morning with a breakfast of all-you-can-eat pancakes, eggs and bacon. Breakfast must be bought in advance through the registration process or the online store.

New this year, participants can buy the festival package which offers a 30 percent discount on select activities.The package includes the Jeep Invasion, Playground/On-Site Trails, Ruff 'n Tuff and the Mystery Road Rally. Free festival decals are included.Friendly dogs on leashes may join their pet parents at the festival.Participant packets were mailed in late May. Pre-registered participants will now be able to proceed directly to festival activities as long as items in the packet are on display when needed and all passengers have spectator wristbands.On-site registration will be available at Cooper's Lake at 8 a.m. each day and at the Clearview Mall in Center Township from 2 to 7 p.m. Friday.

Cooper's Lake Campground has been accepting camping reservations. Campsites can be reserved and selected online at www.cooperslake.com.Prices are $10 per person per night. Children's fees are $3 per person per night. Electric and sewage are available for an additional cost.The campground features large sites that can accommodate a variety of group sizes.Call Cooper's with questions at 724-368-8710. Pets and campfires are welcome.

Volunteers are still needed because the Jeep events need more than 300 volunteers to conduct.Jeep owners who volunteer about eight hours will receive some festival activities for free.Non-Jeepers will receive benefits, too. A prize valued at nearly $100 will be awarded to the person who refers the most volunteers for the event.“We’re excited about all of the new things we are offering this year, and we believe Jeepers will love having the event at Cooper’s Lake,” Lambert said.“We strive to create an event that all Jeep owners will enjoy, including those who love the history and military aspects of the Jeep to those who can’t wait to get their Jeep dirty in the mud pit.“Our goal is to pay tribute to the Bantam jeep, the father of all Jeeps, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back home to Butler on Father’s Day weekend.”During the event’s inaugural year in 2011, the festival set a Guinness World Record for the largest parade of Jeeps with 1,106 Jeeps participating in the parade.Last year, 1,485 Jeeps from 24 states participated in the festival, a 14 percent increase from the first year.For more information or to register, visit www.bantamjeepfestival.com or call 724-234-2291.