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FRIENDS OF THE BANTAM JEEP ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES 2024 FINANCIAL GIFTS RECIPIENTS

The Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association (FBJA) is bringing an early Christmas to nine Butler County non-profit organizations this month. The selected groups were awarded a total of $13,800 in financial gifts  ranging from $1,000 to $2,500. This is the eighth year that FBJA, owners and organizers of the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival and Bantam TrailFest, have given back to the community.  

“Our volunteers work extremely hard throughout the year and during our two annual events to make them a success,” said Todd Wagner, president. “We want to demonstrate to our volunteers and participants that we give back to the community just as they give to us.”

FBJA has given nearly $174,000 in gifts to a wide-variety of non-profit groups since 2016. In addition, $184,000 has been given to organizations who help to execute the annual Festival during that time. In total, FBJA has given away just over $358,000 to Butler County non-profit organizations since 2016.

The Association’s board of directors selected these organizations from the 204 applicants to receive a 2024 Financial Gift:

●            CB Rangers

●            CANDLE

●            Hob Nob Theatre Company

●            North Country Trail Alliance

●            Sons of the American Legion Post 778

●            Soroptimist International of Butler County

●            The Andrew Effect

●            Victim Outreach Intervention Center

●            YWCA

 

The Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association was formed in October 2015. It is comprised of more than 80 volunteers who work together to plan and execute the successful Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival which attracts nearly 2,500 registered Jeeps to Butler County each June to celebrate Butler’s notoriety as the birthplace of the Jeep.  The 14th annual Festival will be held June 13-15, 2025. The 2025 Bantam TrailFest will be held October 10-12. Those who wish to get involved in the event can email Info@Bantam.org or call 724-256-4050.

Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival - On-Site Registration

If you missed our pre-registration or will call deadline, don’t worry!  You can still be part of one of the most popular Jeep events in the United States.

On-site registration opens at 8 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 7-9. On-Site registration closes at 3 pm on Friday, 5 pm on Saturday and 2 pm on Sunday.  See the map for location of the registration tent.  We accept both cash and credit. There is an on-site registration fee of $10.


Additional passenger wristbands can be purchased on-site as well for anyone who will be driving or riding in a Jeep at Coopers Lake.

  • Adults are $20

  • Minors 7-17 are $10

  • Kids Under 7 are Free but MUST be registered for


Activities Available for On-Site Registration: 

  • Bantam Poker Run (Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Coopers Lake)

  • Bantam Quarry at Kildoo Trails Open Session Times:

    • Friday (10 AM)

    • Saturday (8 AM or 2 PM)

    • Sunday (10 AM)

  • Barbee Jeep Race (Saturday, Coopers Lake)

  • Best of Bantam (Saturday, Coopers Lake)

  • Jeep Playground & On-Site Trails (All Weekend, Coopers Lake) 

  • Jeep ‘n Seek (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)

  • Jeep Blessing

  • Jeep Safari (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)

  • Light Bars & Brews

  • State Park Scenic Tour (Friday 10:50 or 11:30)


SOLD OUT

  • Bantam Night Ops Mission #2024

  • Babes of Bantam Trail Ride

  • Bantam Boot Camp

  • Jeep Invasion

  • Jeep Team Challenge 

We’re looking forward to seeing you at Bantam!

Will Call Registration Available Now through May 23rd!

Will Call Registration Available Now through May 23rd! If you missed our pre-registration deadline for this year's Festival, today is your lucky day!

Instead of waiting to register your Jeep for the Festival at on-site registration, you can still register between now and May 23rdh. This enables you to guarantee your spot in available activities. There is a $5 processing fee. Click the link below to register.

REGISTER NOW

Will Call Registrants WILL NOT receive a registration packet in the mail. You must come to the Registration Tent at Cooper's Lake to pick up your packet. Simply find the Will Call line and your packet will be waiting for you to grab and go. 

Activities Available for Will Call Registration: 

  • Bantam Quarry at Kildoo Trail Sessions: Friday (10 AM), Saturday (8 AM or 2 PM), Sunday (10 AM)

  • Barbee Jeep Race - Saturday evening, Limited spots remaining (no longer includes a shirt)

  • Best of Bantam - Saturday

  • Jeep 'n Seek

  • Jeep Blessing - Sunday morning

  • Jeep Invasion North Staging - Friday evening, Limited spots remaining

  • Jeep Invasion South Staging - Friday evening, Limited spots remaining

  • Jeep Safari: Friday, Saturday or Sunday

  • Jeep Team Challenge: Saturday (12 - 2 PM) - 2 spots remaining, Sunday (9:30 - 11:30 AM) - 4 spots remaining

  • Light Bars and Brews - Saturday evening

  • State Park Scenic Tour - Friday morning, 10:10, 10:50 and 11:30 AM, Limited spots remaining

BBQ & Brews tickets are also still available during your registration through May 23rd.

Note: Babes of Bantam, Bantam Boot Camp and Bantam Night Ops are no longer available.

Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association Awards Gifts Valued at $20,000 to Eleven Butler County Non-Profit Organizations 

The Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association (FBJA) brought additional holiday cheer to eleven Butler County non-profit organizations this month. The selected groups were awarded a total of $20,000 in financial gifts  ranging from $500 to $10,000. This is the seventh year that FBJA, owners and organizers of the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival and Bantam TrailFest, have given back to the community.  

“Our organization has made a commitment to help other local non-profit organizations because we want our volunteers and participants to know that their Festival support makes a positive impact on our community,” said Todd Wagner, president. “This year we directed our largest gift ever to the Bantam Jeep sculpture project that is being organized by the Butler AM Rotary and Butler Downtown.”

FBJA has given nearly $165,000 in gifts to a wide-variety of non-profit groups since 2016. In addition, $155,000 has been given to organizations who help to execute the annual Festival during that time. In total, FBJA has given away nearly $320,000 to Butler County non-profit organizations since 2016.

The Association’s board of directors selected these organizations from the thirty-seven 2023 applicants: 

  • BC3 Education Foundation

  • Butler AM Rotary Charities

  • Butler Little Theatre

  • CB Rangers

  • CISM Team of Butler County, Inc.

  • Evans City Historical Society

  • Friends of Saxonburg Museum

  • Knights of Columbus Council 866 Butler, PA

  • MHY Family Services

  • Robin's Home Inc

  • Toastmasters

The Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association was formed in October 2015. It is comprised of more than 80 volunteers who work together to plan and execute the successful Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival which attracts nearly 3,000 registered Jeeps to Butler County each June to celebrate Butler’s notoriety as the birthplace of the Jeep.  The 13th annual Festival will be held June 7-9, 2024.  Those who wish to get involved in the event can email Info@Bantam.org or call 724-256-4050.