Invasion set for Friday in Butler
One of the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival’s most popular activities is the Jeep Invasion, which brings more than 1,000 Jeeps and more than 20,000 people to downtown Butler.
“Our attendees have said over and over that they love the Jeep Invasion because they enjoy coming downtown, visiting the local businesses and meeting the people who come to admire the Jeeps of all shapes, sizes and colors,” said Patti Jo Lambert, festival director.
Sponsored by Omix-ADA and First Energy Foundation, the Invasion resembles a car cruise with streets and parking lots filled with virtually every model and year of Jeeps from the past seven decades.
The event will begin at 6 p.m. Friday and feature Jeeps, food vendors and DJs throughout Main Street and three other streets.
Rodfather’s of Butler will oversee the parking more than 1,000 Jeeps.
“The Jeep Invasion is a huge opportunity for downtown,” said Chelynne Curci, Main Street manager of Butler Downtown. “Many businesses tell us that this night is their busiest day of the year.
“It’s always exciting to see our restaurants, shops, and streets filled with people. The event is a great way to introduce everyone to our ever-improving downtown.”
Street closures, parking
Parking on several downtown streets will not be permitted after 2 p.m. Friday in preparation for the Jeep Invasion.
Jeep parking will begin at 3 p.m. when participants will enter the Invasion area by way of the intersections at Main and Wayne streets and at Main and Pearl streets.
It 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 streets.
Jeeps also will be parked in other parking lots throughout town.
Entertainment, food
The Invasion will feature several DJs between Pearl and Wayne streets to fill the air with a variety of music. Live bands will perform on West New Castle Street all evening.
Downtown restaurants are making plans to feed visitors who are expected there.
In addition, there will be several food vendors throughout the streets.
Merchandise is always a hot commodity, and the festival’s merchandise committee has more merchandise than ever before. Items include hoodies, long and short-sleeve T-shirts, hats, blankets, glassware, decals, magnets, travel mugs and license plates. The merchandise store will be in front of the Butler County Courthouse. Many downtown businesses also will be open.
Jeep registration
All Jeeps must be registered to participate, and a maximum of 1,500 Jeeps will be accepted.
Registration will be taken inside Clearview Mall from 2 to 7 p.m. Friday and starting at 8 a.m. Friday at Cooper’s Lake Campground.
