I spoke with Bob over the weekend and he mentioned stopping by 4 Wheel Drive Hardware’s 13th annual Jamboree in Ohio.  He estimated there were over 300 jeeps and plenty of things to look at and do.  Among the things he learned was that the Butler Pennsylvania Tourism office wants to produce a large Jeep Festival during Aug 12-14, 2011, where they hope to hold the largest Jeep Parade ever held (and over take Colombia’s Guiness Record).

From Butler Tourism’s website, “Bantam Jeep Year-Long 70th Birthday Celebration Kicks Off Summer 2010:  Jeep enthusiasts, automotive and military history buffs and thousands of visitors will make their way to Butler County to celebrate the Bantam Jeep’s 70th birthday throughout 2010 and 2011.  Butler is the birthplace of the Jeep.  The Bantam Jeep was developed and produced in 1941 by Butler’s American Bantam Car Company in response to the U.S. Army’s request for an all-purpose military vehicle.  Nearly 3,000 Jeeps were produced at Bantam’s Butler factory.

To celebrate the Jeep’s 70th birthday, a year-long celebration will begin June 2010 and culminate with the first Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival August 12-14, 2011.  The festival will feature off-roading opportunities, historical displays, a Jeep parade/cruise and other events. ”

I sent an email today to the office of Tourism and was surprised to see a response within a couple hours, which included an offer to keep us updated on the festival progress along with this attached pdf brochure.