Jeep owners wishing to attend the 2018 Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival can now register online by clicking the button below. Volunteers can also register using this link.
2018 Pre-Registration Details & New Activities Announced!
The Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival keeps giving Jeep owners more reasons to bring their Jeep home to the birthplace of the Jeep. The Festival announced today that pre-registration for Jeep owners to participate in event activities soon be available through May 6. And just like the Festival has grown each year, so has the fun activities that attendees can experience June 8-10, 2018 in Butler and Slippery Rock, Pa.
“The Festival is a must-do event that should be on every Jeep owner’s bucket list,” said Patti Jo Lambert, Festival director. “We want them to experience the Festival and have so much fun they can’t wait to come back. That’s why we keep offering new things for Jeep enthusiasts to see and do each and every year.”
New in 2018
Bantam Proving Grounds Jeep Pull: When the American Bantam Car Company created the Bantam Reconnaissance Car, the world’s original jeep, they delivered the vehicle to Camp Holabird near Baltimore. Camp Holabird was the Army’s proving grounds where they tested vehicles to determine if they could handle the rigors of battle. The Bantam Proving Grounds Jeep Pull is an opportunity for Jeep owners to prove their Jeep can go the distance. They will hook up to a weighted sled and if their Jeep can successfully pull it, they will earn bragging rights for years to come. One hundred percent of entry fees will be donated to a local charity to be announced soon.
Decorate Your Jeep: Jeep owners are passionate about their vehicles, with many owners even giving them a name. The Festival is offering owners a fun way to personalize their Jeeps even more by accessorizing them with all types of decorations. Judges will present awards to the Jeeps that are most creative, most patriotic and have the best theme.
Invasion After-Party: After invading Downtown Butler during the popular Jeep Invasion on Friday, June 8, Jeepers are invited to stop by Recon Brewing. The brewery, named after the Bantam Reconnaissance Car, will offer a $1 discount on their BRC beer to all guests wearing a Festival wristband between 9-11 p.m. Friday night only.
Jeepardy: This twist on one of America’s most popular game shows will offer Jeep-themed categories for contestants. Several games will be played each day, and contestants will be selected via a random drawing just before each game begins. Jeepardy games will feature three rounds and will be played at select times during the Festival.
2018 Enhancements
Best of Bantam: New in 2018, Best of Bantam participants may enter the competition field via a new gate off Currie Road. The gate will give them direct access to the field during select times, enabling them to avoid high-traffic roads throughout the Festival area.
Bantam Night Ops Mission 2018: This nighttime trail ride on Thursday, June 7 is now available as an a la carte activity. Previously, attendees had to purchase a Night Ops package in order to participate. Now, any Jeep owner who wants to test their driving skills in the dark can enjoy this experience. Bonfires and s’mores will also be offered for participants.
Babes of Bantam: This ladies-only event features instruction by women for women on both a stock trail and a portion of the Jeep Playground obstacle course. It was so popular when it was introduced in 2017 that the event has been expanded to accommodate additional female drivers – 50 will enjoy the experience on Thursday, June 7 and 100 will hit the trail and Jeep Playground on Friday, June 8.
Festival Package: The Festival Package offers early registrants a discount on select Jeep activities and other benefits. New this year, the package will include a Bantam Bonus Card that provides special discounts to select vendors available only to Jeep owners who purchase the package. In addition, the package will include a $25 meal voucher to the Harmony Inn, North County Brewing Company and North Country Canning Company. The package is available for purchase through March 31.
Jeep History Exhibit: The Jeep History exhibit is a not-to-miss part of the Festival. In 2018, it will feature up to 20 Jeeps from the 1970s. The Faces of Jeep grille exhibit will unveil grilles from 1970s Jeep models too.
In addition to these activities, the Festival offers on and off-site trail rides, a Jeep Playground obstacle course featuring a mud pit, Jeep Invasion street party, Mystery Road Rally and other activities. More than 120 companies from across the nation will sell all types of Jeep accessories and other items. In 2017, 2,040 Jeeps from 27 states registered to participate in the Festival, making it one of the largest Jeep-only events in the United States.
“We are always looking for volunteers to help execute the Festival,” said Lambert. “Even if you don’t have a Jeep, we need more help so that we can continue to grow and provide a fantastic experience for our attendees.”
Jeep owners and those who wish to volunteer can register online at www.bantamjeepfestival.com. The website also contains detailed information about the event, including videos, photos and more.
25 Butler County Non-Profit Organizations Receive $30,000 from Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association
The Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association (FBJA) is sharing welcome news with Butler County non-profit organizations. Twenty-five groups learned they were selected to receive a financial gift ranging from $500 to $2,500 to help them accomplish important projects for those they serve. This is the second year that FBJA, owners of the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival, has given back to the community.
“It is very important to our members and board of directors that we share the success of the Festival with local non-profit organizations,” said Todd Wagner, president. “When we reviewed the accomplishments of the 19 organizations that received funds last year, it inspired our group to give 50 percent more than we did in 2016. Our 500 volunteers are grateful that their efforts not only benefit the Festival, but they help thousands of others throughout Butler County.”
The Association’s board of directions selected these 25 organizations from more than 40 applicants:
- Auxiliary, American Legion Post 474, Zelienople
- Butler Chapter, North Country Trail Association
- Butler County Blind Association
- Butler County Family YMCA
- Butler County Symphony Association
- Butler Downtown
- Butler Meals on Wheels, Inc.
- Center for Community Resources
- Community Care Connections, Inc.
- Community Health Clinic of Butler County
- Connecting2Tomorrow, Inc.
- Critical Incident Stress Management Team of Butler County
- Don’t Stop Dreamin’
- Ellen O’Brien Gaiser Center
- Evans City Public Library Association
- Grapevine Center, Inc.
- Life Choices
- OVADA – One Voice for the Abused Domestic Animals
- Penn Theater Performance Company
- South Butler Community Library
- Specialty Outreach Services, Inc.
- The Butler Little Theater
- The Salvation Army
- Victim Outreach Intervention Center
- Washington’s Trail
About 10 percent of the total amount given to the organizations was donated by Omix-ADA. The company, sponsor of the Festival’s Jeep History Exhibit, sold items at the Festival specifically for the purpose of raising funds for FBJA to give to Butler County organizations.
The Association has already provided more than $23,000 to other organizations that helped execute the 2017 Festival, $8,000 more than 2016. Those organizations include: 377th Engineer Company/Butler Reserve Unit; Alliance for Non-Profit Resources; Butler American Legion Riders; Butler Masonic Lodge #272; Butler Outdoor Club; Butler Downtown; CB Rangers; Civil Air Patrol; Compeer Corps; East Coast Four-Wheel Drive Association; Heritage Region Jeep Alliance; Moraine, McConnells Mill and Jennings Commission; Ohio Valley Jeep Alliance; Rodfathers of Butler; Slippery Rock Fire Department (Butler County); Slippery Rock Fire Department (Lawrence County); and Slippery Rock University Foundation.
“We want to be more than just the Association that executes one of the most successful Jeep events in the nation,” said Wagner. “Our goal is for our volunteers, attendees, sponsors and vendors to realize that their support is doing much more than bringing Jeep enthusiasts to Butler County. They are helping us make a real difference to thousands right here where the Jeep was born.”
The Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association was formed in October 2015. It is comprised of more than 50 volunteers who work together to plan and execute the successful Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival which attracts more than 2,000 Jeeps to Butler County each June to celebrate Butler’s notoriety as the birthplace of the Jeep. The 2018 Festival will be held June 8-10. Those who wish to get involved in the event are encouraged to email Info@Bantam.org or call 724-256-4050.
Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association to Award Up to $30,000 to Butler County 501C3 Non-Profit Organizations
Application Deadline is October 13
Last year, the Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association (FBJA) gave away $20,000 in financial gifts to local non-profit organizations. Now, after successfully executing the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival for the second year, FBJA will give up to $30,000 to 501c3 non-profit organizations based in Butler County.
“The members of our Association want to give back to our community and support other organizations who are working hard to make a difference in Butler County. When we see all of the great things that last year’s gift recipients were able to accomplish with our support, it is very rewarding for our entire organization,” said Todd Wagner, FBJA president. “Our group volunteers thousands of hours all year long to plan and hold the Festival, and we’re happy that our success is enabling us to help our community even more than last year.”
How To Apply:
Butler County 501c3 non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply online to receive a financial gift from the Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association. Organizations must submit a letter, not to exceed 500 words, that clearly explains how their organization benefits the community and how any potential funds received will be used. Applicants must also provide proof of non-profit 501c3 status. After gifts are awarded in late October, the organizations will be expected to provide an update on their projects’ progress and/or completion and provide photos to demonstrate the gifts’ impact on their organization. The online application, available at www.bantamjeepfestival.com/financial-gift-application, must be received no later than Friday, October 13 at 5 p.m.
“The quantity and financial value of gifts awarded will be determined by our board of directors based on how many organizations request support and the need demonstrated for the gift,” explained Wagner. In 2016, gifts ranged from $500 - $3,000. About 10 percent of the total amount that will be distributed was donated to FBJA by Omix-ADA, a premier Festival sponsor. Those funds were provided by Festival attendees who purchased select items from Omix-ADA during the Festival.
Festival Already Helping Local Groups
In addition, the Association has already provided more than $23,000 to other organizations that helped execute the 2017 Festival, $8,000 more than 2016. Those organizations include: 377th Engineer Company/Butler Reserve Unit; Alliance for Non-Profit Resources; Butler American Legion Riders; Butler Masonic Lodge #272; Butler Outdoor Club; Butler Downtown; CB Rangers; Civil Air Patrol; Compeer Corps; East Coast Four-Wheel Drive Association; Heritage Region Jeep Alliance; Moraine, McConnells Mill and Jennings Commission; Ohio Valley Jeep Alliance; Rodfathers of Butler; Slippery Rock Fire Department (Butler County); Slippery Rock Fire Department (Lawrence County); and Slippery Rock University Foundation.
“The Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival enjoyed a 12 percent increase in registered Jeeps this year,” said Wagner. “Much of its success is due to the more than 500 volunteers who give their time and talents to make the event possible and attract Jeep owners from more than 25 states to our area. Their efforts are not only creating a successful event, they are making a big difference to many other organizations who are just as passionate about their group’s efforts as we are about Jeeps.”
The Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association was formed in October 2015. It is comprised of more than 50 volunteers who work together to plan and execute the successful Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival which attracts more than 2,000 Jeeps to Butler County each June to celebrate Butler’s notoriety as the birthplace of the Jeep.