wjnfirearms

Fellow Jeepers, I'm pleased to share this official info release with y'all about the 2013 Bantam Jeep Festival. You guys here at cherokeeforum.com will be among the first to get this info. This is an expanded event for '13 and I hope that you will be as excited about attending as I am.

wjnfirearms
Member, Planning Committee
Bantam Jeep Festival
Butler, Pa.



The Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival has finalized plans forthe third annual event celebrating Butler, Pa. as the birthplace of the Jeep. New this year, the Festival will take placeover three full days, June 14-16, 2013, at Cooper’s Lake Campground, just 10minutes west of the previous location.

“We’reexcited to grow the event into three days so Jeepers can make the Festival bepart of a new Father’s Day weekend tradition,” said Patti Jo Lambert, Festivaldirector. “The additional day gives Jeep enthusiasts the chance to have morefun with their family, whether they spend all three days in Butler County orattend the Festival and then return home for other family activities.”

The event will feature the popular Jeep Invasion in downtownButler on Friday night, June 14, as well as a new off-road playground, mud pit,rock crawl, trail rides, WWII encampment, history displays, national vendors,how-to clinics, flea market and more each day.

New ActivitiesOffered in 2013

Three Full Days ofFun
All Festival activities will now take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday atCooper’s Lake. The Festival will openeach day at 9 a.m. and will close at 4 p.m. on Friday, 5 p.m. on Saturday and 3p.m. on Sunday.

Bigger, Better Trails
The property at Cooper’s Lake will give off-roaders the chance to try newchallenging trails. At least fivedifferent trails will be offered for both stock and intermediate Jeeps. Some trails will offer additional challengesfor those with Jeeps equipped to handle such obstacles. Each trail will be nearly triple the lengthof those previously offered.

Expanded Times forMystery Road Rally and Jeep Team Challenge
The Mystery Road Rally and Jeep Team Challenge activities will be expanded tomore hours on all three days to accommodate more participants. The Rally is ascavenger hunt that takes Jeepers on various routes throughout Butler Countywhere they need to answer questions about places along the route. The Jeep Team Challenge features funobstacles for a driver and passenger to do together. Last year’s teams had fun playing “broomball,” driving in reverse, smashing water balloons and more. Prizes will be awarded to the winners of bothactivities.

Glacial InterpretiveDriving Tour
On Friday afternoon, Jeeps can enjoy a drive on Butler County’s scenic backroads and also learn about our geologic history. Three groups of Jeeps will visit threeinteresting geological formations made by glaciers that covered the area duringthe last Ice Age. Interpretive stafffrom Moraine and McConnells Mill State Parks and Jennings EnvironmentalEducation Center will offer a short hike and share details about eachfeature. The activity is geared for allages.

Expanded Show ‘nShine Classes and Trophies
Stock and modified trophies will be awarded in most classes, giving Jeeperseven more chances to bring home a prize they can proudly display. All winners will be determined by a panel ofjudges with the exception of Best of Show which will be voted on by theregistered participants.

Little Jeepers Show‘n Shine
Kids of all ages will want to join in the fun and participate in the LittleJeepers Show ‘n Shine. Wooden toy Jeepkits will be available for purchase via the online store (available inFebruary) and at the event. Jeeps can bepainted and modified in any way and brought to the event for the competition orthey can be painted on–site. Prizes willbe awarded in various classes.

Jeep Competitions
Several different free competitions are planned for all participants includinga teeter totter and more. A trophy willbe awarded to the first place male and female participant.

BBQ, Band and Bonfire
The fun continues Saturday night at the Great Pig Out featuring anall-you-can-eat pig roast with all of the trimmings. New in 2013, hang out with your new Jeepfriends around a huge bonfire and listen to the sounds of a live band. Tickets to the Great Pig Out must bepurchased in advance and are required for entry to the band and bonfire.Registered campers at Cooper’s Lake Campground may also enjoy the band andbonfire.

Father’s DayBreakfast
Start off Father’s Day with a hearty breakfast of all-you-can-eat pancakes,eggs and bacon on Sunday morning. Breakfast must be purchased in advance through the registration processor via the online store.

Participant PackageOffers Savings
New this year, participants can purchase the Festival Package which offers a 30percent discount on select activities. The package include the Jeep Invasion, Playground/On-Site Trails, Ruff‘n Tuff and the Mystery Road Rally. FreeFestival decals are also included. Theprice increases after March 31 and is not available for those who registeron-site.

Dogs Welcome!
Friendly dogs on leashes may join their pet parents at the Festival.

Participant PacketsWill Be Mailed
To make the trip to Butler even more convenient, participant packets will bemailed in late May. Pre-registeredparticipants will now be able to proceed directly to Festival activities aslong as items included in the packet are on display when needed and allpassengers have spectator wristbands. On-siteregistration will be available at Cooper’s Lake beginning at 8 a.m. each dayand also at Clearview Mall in Butler on Friday, June 14 between 2 and 7 p.m.



Other FestivalInformation

· Online registration for participants, volunteers,and vendors is now available on the website. In addition to the new Festival Package, participants can purchase Jeepactivities a la carte. The deadline foronline registration is May 19, 2013.

· Cooper’s Lake Campground is now acceptingcamping reservations. Campsites can bereserved and selected online at www.cooperslake.com. Prices are $10 per person per night. Children’s fees are $3 per person pernight. Electric and sewage are availablefor an additional cost. The campgroundfeatures large sites that can accommodate a variety of group sizes. Call Cooper’s direct with questions at724-368-8710. Pets and campfires arewelcome.

· Volunteers are needed! It takes more than 300 volunteers to executethe Festival. Please volunteer some timeto make this year’s Festival the best one yet. Jeep owners who volunteer approximately 8 hours will receive someFestival activities for free! Non-Jeepers will receive benefits too. A prize valued at nearly $100 will be awarded to the person who refersthe most volunteers for the event.

“We’re excited about all of the new things we are offeringthis year, and we believe Jeepers will love having the event at Cooper’s Lake,”said Lambert. “We have strived to createan event that all Jeep owners will enjoy, including those who love the historyand military aspects of the Jeep to those who can’t wait to get their Jeepdirty in the mud pit. Our goal is to paytribute to the Bantam jeep, the father of all Jeeps, and we look forward towelcoming everyone back home to Butler on Father’s Day weekend.”

During the event’s inaugural year in 2011, the Festival seta Guinness World Record for the largest parade of Jeeps with 1,106 Jeepsparticipating in the parade. Last year,1,485 Jeeps from 24 states participated in the event, a 14 percent increasefrom the first year. For moreinformation or to register, visit www.bantamjeepfestival.comor call 724-234-2291.

The Rooster

ohh I want to go to this.. What are the Jeep show Classes?

wjnfirearms

All more detailed info such as show classes will be provided on the web site. There have been changes to the Show N' Shine classes for this year, so go to our site for better explanations.

FYI, for those that have attended in previous years and expressed concerns about the various events, or just made suggestions, we have looked at all of them submitted and addressed the ones that were able to and were felt that they had the most validity. Nobody's suggestions were disregarded, but all couldn't be done for obvious reasons.

xjfirefighter

I'll be there . See if I can win me another winch!

Bob98Classic

When I saw the post "Bantam", I was thinking of a small chicken,
or a very small Jeep.,,or something like those little "Legend"
race cars that look like 30s cars....