“We all know that the Festival was an overwhelming success and brought more people to Butler than any other one-day event in our city’s history,” said Butler Police Chief Timothy Fennell, whose police force was instrumental in organizing the parade of 1,106 jeeps, along with the Rodfathers Car Club and the Butler Township Police Department. “The Jeep owners who participated were excited about their role in an attempt to set a record, and I’m happy to announce that their participation has been made official by Guinness.”

Largest Jeep Parade. Ever.

The parade and cruise were one of the highlights of the August event that brought thousands of Jeep enthusiasts to Butler. Parade participants began their record attempt at Butler County Community College and traveled three miles north on Route 8 where they were parked along Butler’s Main Street and side streets to show off their Jeeps to the estimated 35,000 people that filled the streets and sidewalks. The Festival continued throughout the weekend at the Big Butler Fairgrounds where an off-road playground, Bantam history exhibit, Jeep show, WWII encampment and nearly 100 vendors were part of the activities attendees enjoyed.

From CA to PA in a CJ!

Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau President Jack Cohen announced that Festival proceeds of $20,000 have been deposited into a special fund to preserve Bantam heritage.

Cohen believes that saving the BantamBuilding and doing more to celebrate ButlerCounty’s Jeep heritage is key to the County’s heritage tourism efforts. “The enthusiastic response we received from Jeep owners who traveled from 25 states and four countries to Butler this past summer is evidence of the passion people have for Jeeps,” he said. “I believe that Butler has the ability to become a destination for Jeep enthusiasts year-round if we are committed to preserving our Jeep heritage and offer reasons to keep them coming back.”