Before the 2014 festival was over last June, organizers already were planning and meeting about this year’s 75th birthday of the Jeep and the 5th annual Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival.

The festival planning committee is comprised of about 40 volunteers who meet between September and May to brainstorm ways to improve the event.

“Our planning committee astonishes me at their enthusiasm and devotion to the festival,” said Patti Jo Lambert, festival director. “Several of them drive more than an hour to attend meetings, and it really is a great group of people who really enjoy each other’s company and have fun together.”

Lambert credits much of the festival’s growth to this passionate group of Jeep fans.

“These individuals are the ones who are out spreading the word about the event, who help choose what the T-shirt designs will be and who is making the decisions about the activities we offer each year,” Lambert said.

While the festival has grown exponentially over the past five years, the size of the committee hasn’t. More people are needed to help manage different aspects of the event and be involved in the planning process.

Those who want to get involved can call 724-234-2291 or e-mail info@bantamjeepfestival.com.

Festival committee members are:

Joyce Appel, Debbie Baird, Don Baker, Don Bear, Carrie Binsack, Ken Boring

Sheri Boring, Lee Bortmas, Bernie Caldwell, Patrick Cercone, John Cheezum, Jack Cohen

Tony Colangeli, Pat Collins

Justin Dent, Rick DiBello Jr., Sara DiBello, Carl Divers, Jim Donze

Walt Eggert, Mark Gaydosh, Cathy Gilliland, Lynda Harrison, Mark Keddie, Wayne Kovac

Patti Jo Lambert, Tom Lavorini, Mark Lebda, Chuck Miller, Eileen Miller, Rob Morgan

Chad Morrison, Wes Notovitz, Sandy Olanyk, Kelley Perdew, Brandon Perdew, Charles Pro

Tammy Pro, Bill Ringeisen, Ellen Roberts, Shannon Ross, Gloria Sabatelli, Rodney Schaffer

Dave Sears, Sammy Shuler, Michele Sneddon, Larry Stinson, Dan Suess, Ed Wadding

Judy Wadding, Todd Wagner, Bonnie Wehr, Jim Wehr, Dave Zarnick and Dave Zibrat.