Historic Photo Opportunity with Your Jeep

We are excited to announce a new activity for Bantam 2020!

Here is your rare opportunity to have a photo of your Jeep taken with the only remaining remnants of the American Bantam Car Company. If you register for this activity, you will be able to drive your Jeep behind the fence and our photographer will take a photo of your Jeep with the Bantam Administration Building in the background (only one Jeep per photo/time slot). Each participant will receive a digital photo download as part of the $25 registration fee. A portion of the fee will also be used toward the preservation of Butler's Bantam jeeps and the Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association's land fund.

The American Bantam Car Company created the world's original Jeep in 1940. You won't want to miss this chance to feature your Jeep with a piece of Jeep history as we may not get this opportunity again. Your photo will include a commemorative border, similar to the image shown here. Placement of logo and historical marker may change depending on specific location that the photo is taken.

Sign up for the Bantam Building Photo Opportunity when registration launches January 16th. Limited spots will be available so don't delay!

Click here for more information on the activity!

You asked, we delivered! Jeep Parade returns in 2020!

That's right! Help us celebrate our 10 Years of Bantam with a 10th Anniversary Jeep Parade in downtown Butler!

It's been five years since thousands of Jeeps cruised through Butler in honor of the Jeep's 75th Birthday. This year, we're doing a little celebrating of our own as 2020 marks our 10th annual Festival!! Save the date to be part of our 10th Anniversary Parade and Jeep Invasion on June 12, 2020--the parade will begin at 4 p.m.

Pre-registration will be available in January 16th but there are some exciting details for our 10th Anniversary Jeep Parade that you should know!

Jeep Parade Only versus Jeep Parade/Invasion

You will have the option to choose Jeep Parade Only or Jeep Parade/Invasion during pre-registration. The 500 Jeep Parade Only vehicles will lead the parade and travel through town. The 1,000 Jeeps registered for the Parade/Invasion will begin parking at the North end of Main Street. Parking will continue as the Jeeps arrive in town, turning the Parade into our famous Jeep Invasion! 

New Staging Location

Like our previous Parades, Jeeps will stage together and drive north on Route 8 through downtown Butler. However, in 2020 we will be staging at the Pittsburgh Butler Regional Airport.

Parade Only participants must arrive at the Pittsburgh Butler Regional Airport, 473 Airport Road, Butler, PA 16002 between 1 and 3:30 p.m. Parade/Invasion participants must arrive at the Airport between 2 and 5 p.m. The Parade will begin at 4 p.m. and travel north.

Parade Commemorative Gifts

As part of the Jeep Parade Only or Jeep Parade/Invasion registration, you will receive a dash plaque and a 2020 commemorative badge! The plaque, badge and entry credentials will be distributed at Parade staging.

Click here for more information on the Jeep Parade/Jeep Invasion!

21 Butler County Non-Profit Organizations Receive $16,300 from Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association

The Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association (FBJA) is continuing its tradition to support Butler County’s non-profit organizations. Twenty-one groups were selected to receive a financial gift ranging from $250 to $2,000 to help them provide services in Butler County. This is the fourth consecutive year that FBJA, owners of the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival, has given back to the community. 

“Our organization has made a commitment to support other local non-profit organizations because we want our volunteers to see that their efforts not only make the Festival successful, but they make a positive impact on our community,” said Todd Wagner, president. “Since 2016, we have given $93,500 in gifts to a wide-variety of non-profit groups, and we know that these contributions make a huge difference in providing much needed services throughout Butler County.”

The Association’s board of directions selected these organizations from more than 50 applicants:

·        Butler County Humane Society

·        Butler AM Rotary Charities

·        Butler County American Legion Riders

·        Butler County Children's Center

·        Butler County Habitat for Humanity

·        Butler County Soccer Association

·        Butler County Symphony Association

·        Butler Downtown

·        Butler Golden Tornado Hockey Association

·        Butler Little Theatre

·        Butler Meals on Wheels, Inc.

·        Community Health Clinic of Butler County

·        Critical Incident Stress Management Team of Butler County

·        EDCO Park Foundation

·        Kid's Innovation Playground

·        March of Dimes

·        Mars Area History and Landmarks Society

·        Moraine, McConnells Mill, and Jennings Commission (3MJC)

·        Robin's Home, Inc.

·        Society of St. Vincent de Paul Butler District Council

·        The Arc of Butler County

Omix-ADA, the words largest independent Jeep parts manufacturer and a premier Festival sponsor, provided the donation for Habitat for Humanity by selling merchandise at its booth during the Festival. The Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association also donated to Butler County’s Community Care Connections organization. The funds came from a portion of the entry fee for the Festival’s Bantam Proving Grounds Jeep Pull activity.

The Association has already provided more than $23,000 to other local organizations that helped execute the 2019 Festival. Over the past four years, more than $81,000 was paid to non-profit organizations for their assistance during the three days of the event.  Those 2019 organizations include: 377 th Engineer Company/Butler Reserve Unit; Butler American Legion Riders; Butler County Symphony Association; Butler Health Clinic; Butler Masonic Lodge #272; Butler Outdoor Club; CB Rangers; Civil Air Patrol; Community Care Connections; Compeer Corps; Heritage Region Jeep Alliance; Moraine, McConnells Mill and Jennings Commission; Rodfathers of Butler; and Slippery Rock Fire Department (Lawrence County).  

Apply now for 2019 Non-Profit Financial Gifts

Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association to Offer Financial Gifts to Butler County 501c3 Non-Profit Organizations

Application Deadline is September 30th

For the fourth consecutive year, the Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association, Inc. (FBJA) will award gifts to Butler County 501c3 non-profit organizations.  The program has awarded more than $75,000 to organizations in the community since 2016. 

 “The Association’s Board of Directors feels very strongly about giving back to our community,” said Todd Wagner, FBJA president.  “It’s been amazing to see all of the great things local non-profits have been doing in Butler County over the last few years.  They work extremely hard to make a difference, and FBJA has been very fortunate to have the means to help them with their organization’s projects.”

Application Requirements and How To Apply:

• Butler County 501c3 non-profit organizations must apply online. The online application, available at http://www.bantamjeepfestival.com/financial-gift-application, must be received no later than September 30th at 5 p.m. 

• In the application, organizations must explain in 500 words or less how they benefit the community and how any potential funds received will be used. 

• Applicants must provide proof of non-profit 501c3 status.

• After gifts are awarded, the recipients 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.

 “Applications received from Butler County 501c3’s will be assessed by the Association’s Board of Directors,” said Wagner.  “Gifts will be distributed based on need and how the gift benefits the community. Last year, our gifts ranged from $500 to $2,200.  The Association will be awarding a gift of $2,500 on behalf of Omix-ADA, a premier Festival sponsor who raised funds by selling select merchandise at the 2019 event.”

Festival Already Helping Local Groups

In addition, the Association has already provided more than $23,000 to other local organizations that helped execute the 2019 Festival. More than $81,000 has been given to involved organizations since 2016. 

Those organizations include: 377th Engineer Company/Butler Reserve Unit; Butler American Legion Riders; Butler County Symphony Association; Butler Health Clinic; Butler Masonic Lodge #272; Butler Outdoor Club; CB Rangers; Civil Air Patrol; Community Care Connections; Compeer Corps; Heritage Region Jeep Alliance; Moraine, McConnells Mill and Jennings Commission; Rodfathers of Butler; and Slippery Rock Fire Department (Lawrence County).