by Matt Konkle
Torque Editor-in-Chief
Toledo, Ohio, may call itself home of the Jeep, but a small town about an hour northeast of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is really where the whole thing began eighty years ago.
The Bantam Car Company, based in Butler, Pennsylvania, pushed out the first Jeep prototype in response to a call from the U.S. Army as the country geared up for war in 1941.
So, what better place to celebrate the history of Jeep than both in the city itself, as well as Cooper's Lake Campground in nearby Slippery Rock.
It is here that the 10th annual Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival is set to open its doors June 11-13, featuring all kinds of Jeeps from the first prototypes, all the way to the newest Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles.
Quadratec will be there as well, and is bringing along the Quadratec/Bestop Gladiator to show off along with giveaway prizes, exclusive show stickers and many other things. Video Host Rob Jarrell and his Rubicon Gladiator JT project are also making the trip, and his truck will be fully decked out with plenty of overlanding products.
The event runs Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Additionally, there is also a Jeep Invasion parade through Butler on Friday night.
Besides scores of the top Jeep aftermarket vendors, Bantam is certainly known for its games, obstacle courses, trail rides and mud pit playground — where Jeep after Jeep can attempt to plow their way through in front of a full gallery of spectators.
Back once again this year is also the downhill Barbee race and plenty of participants will climb into a tiny Jeep Barbee toy vehicle and careen down one of the campground's nearby hills in search of prizes and glory.
Those who attend the event can also tour the indoor Jeep Historical Experience, where plenty of vintage Jeeps from all age groups can be photographed and admired. There is also a full wall of Jeep grilles from inception to current that show off just how much Jeep has changed over the years.
Finally, for anyone who enjoys military history, the event sets aside plenty of room for a full military Jeep encampment. Not only does this area display all sorts of Jeeps from numerous conflicts, but it also features fully-dressed soldiers who play the part and talk about these vehicles, and their importance in each war.
For further info, and to see the full slate of activities, you can look over Bantam's Jeep Heritage Festival site.
