Even though storms were predicted for Bantam's second day, the weather ended up sunny and comfortable — allowing a huge crowd to enjoys all sorts of activites.
by Matt Konkle
Managing Editor
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. ¬— The thing was on the tip of everyone’s tongue Saturday at the 11th annual Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival.
The weather thing.
That's because for the entire week leading up to the event, weather forecasters were predicting heavy rainstorms for the show weekend.
And yet, after a dry and comfortable Friday, Saturday approached with more of the same perfect weather. No rain in sight, and temperatures in the mid to high 70s.
Excellent event weather — making both show attendees, vendors, organizers and volunteers all pretty happy.
Day two during Bantam weekend saw us spend plenty of time at the annual Military Encampment, where not only were there plenty of World War 2, Korea and Vietnam War era Jeeps, but scores of ‘soldiers’ in uniform. Of course, many were ready to talk all about the different Jeeps adoring the grounds, but others dug a bit deeper and spoke to attendees about stuff like the day-to-day life of a soldier, mess hall functions and meal plans, as well as different gun types in World War 2.
Twice during the day, some of those reenactors met up in the middle of the grounds, right under a giant American flag, and did a live fire demonstration (using blanks) of a 30 caliber carbine, Springfield 1903 rifle and the famous M1 Garand.
With Jeep having such a giant part in World War 2, as well as the Korean and Vietnam Wars, this area is always one of the most popular to visit, and something that should be on everyone’s list when attending the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival.
After that, we visited the Best of Bantam vehicle area, where scores of hopefuls in all kinds of different era Jeeps lined up and awaited judgement as to which would be considered the best in each class.
Overall, the Best of Bantam includes 17 vehicle model classes, as well as five additional classes that include Survivor (Unrestored), stock class that can have some restored items and up to two mods, Modified Class for three or more mods on the vehicle, People’s Choice and Best Military Encampment Jeep.
Finally, we made the half-hour or so trip over to Butler, Pennsylvania to witness this year’s Bantam Jeep Invasion.
Around 1,000 Jeeps lined up and paraded into Butler for this Invasion edition, and slowly filled up parking spots all the way down South Main Street, right through the center of town.
For anyone who loves seeing all kinds of different Jeep models, as well as serious modifications and wrapped up Jeeps from theme styles to various colors and pictures, Butler is the spot to attend of Saturday night of the event weekend.
