Thanks to Herm, Richard, Don and Marty for sharing their space with us!

It was a wet and cold morning when Ann and I arrived at the Puyallup Fair Grounds for the 2012 Swap Meet.  Because we dropped our stuff off on Saturday, there was very little for us to bring in, so we arrived at 7:30AM, pulled out some books, tshirts and business cards and began our wait for the gates to open at 9AM.

It was a cold wait as I was under the impression that they would close the large doors to the build where the space was located, so neither Ann nor I were dressed especially warm,  but the windy cold weather blew in all day.  We did our best to keep warm.

I really didn’t know what to expect when the crowds arrived, but eventually we were selling both books and tshirts, so by day’s end I was pleased by the results.  Even better, there were a surprising number of people who hadn’t heard of eWillys, so many business cards were passed out.  Ann also went around letting people with older jeeps know that I would list their jeeps for free if they didn’t sell.  More than a few wondered what the ‘catch’ was.  She tried to explain that there was no catch, but I don’t think everyone was sold on that.

A number of readers stopped by, some to just say hi and that they loved the site, others stayed longer and talked.  Even my cousin came by, though I’d forgotten to text him I was there.  A few of the guys from the space next to us came over.  It turns out they were from the Misfits Jeep Club, which was a club based partly in Renton, so I was familiar with the club (truth be told, I had a crush on one of the female members of the club in high school, but that’s another long story).  Anyway, Bob Miles and Bob Moran were members of the Seattle Jeep Club, so they knew many of the older PNW4WDA and Wandering Willys Jeep Club Member folks that I knew.

So, despite the cold weather, the swap meet was bigger than ever and people found treasures in other peoples junk.  Ann did takes some pics, but I will download and publish them tomorrow.  I’m wiped today.

Looks like snow in Snoqualmie Pass tomorrow (pass is currently closed as of Sunday Evening) so we will be taking the longer way back to Pasco.  We are hoping to have time to drop by the WAAAM to take pictures of the jeeps on our way through The Dalles, Oregon.

Steve asked me to post this.

Mark from Sell-A-Jeep has posted sixteen pages of pictures from the All Breeds show hosted by the PA Jeeps Club.  You can check out all the information here.

Here are a couple pictures of the older breeds:

Doug contacted me tonight.  He and some friends will be making a trip up to Idaho City to do some Jeeping.  I drove above Idaho City last year in Biscuit and there are some fun places to explore.  I only got lost once.  Below are the details.  Btw, take the bear and mountain lion and heard wolf warnings serious!

Idaho city

“There are a few Willys owners here in the Boise area who are taking a trip this next Saturday, Oct 15. Several of us met up about a month ago and made the trip to Idaho City. We had 2 CJ3Bs, a M38A1, M37 and M35A3, it was really cool. This will be our second trip and the last one for the year.

If there is anyone interested but cannot make this trip, they can contact me at: willysjeepcj3b@gmail.com and we will get them added to our email list.

Old Jeeps and military vehicles: join us for a drive on the Boise National Forest, Saturday, October 15. Travel will be on public roads in and around Boise N.F. Family and friends welcome.

Trip plan: Depart from Reserve St. alongside Fort Boise City Park in downtown Boise at 9:00 a.m. sharp. Travel up Shaw Mtn/Rocky Canyon Road #260 through the foothills to Robie Creek/Clear Creek Road #261, then Grimes Creek Road #364 to #307 and take 307 into Idaho City. Todd lives on the Hwy. 21 side and will be meeting us at the jct. of #260 and #261, so anyone coming from that side can do the same. Idaho City has a long and interesting history.

Here’s a link to the C of C website. http://www.idahocitychamber.com/ Gas and grub at Idaho City, then backtrack to Pine Creek Road #366 .

If time and weather permits, we’ll go up Pine Creek Road to Shafer Butte, circle Bogus Basin Ski Area, get on #275 below Bogus and take it back to Rocky Canyon Road. Total distance, including the Shafer Butte section, will be approx. 100 – 120 miles. Elevations will be between 2500’ and 7500’. Highway 21 is nearby in case you need to leave early.

Maps? There are many roads in this area, some public, some private, some with travel restrictions. The Forest Service office on Overland in Boise (next to Walmart) has two types. There are black and white “Motor Vehicle Use Maps”, one for each of the 5 ranger districts on the forest. They’re free, get all 5. They contain info on this year’s travel restrictions. You’ll need the Mtn. Home and Idaho City maps for this trip. They also have a large, color “Travel Map” for $9. It’s over 10 years old but gives a good overview of the entire forest. Todd, who lives in the area and travels it often in his 3B, has noticed that the forest maps aren’t always complete, so he uses topos too.

A final note: Todd also reminded us that he’s seen bear and mountain lion and heard wolves while travelling in this area. There was a mountain lion attack near his house last week.

Bob reports that this year’s Northern Ohio Flatfender Gathering was a success.  He writes, “We had 24 Willys Jeeps this year. It was a great time and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Next year we may simplify the food, add windshield tags that kind of thing. The rain held off until 3:45!”

Here are a few pictures from the event.  You can see them all here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/18648234@N00/sets/72157627757598958/

The 17th Annual Midwest Willys Jeep Reunion & Swap Meet is this weekend at Jefferson City, Mo.  September 16-17-18, 2011.  This year they will not only feature Willys and “Jeeps”, but have also opened the Reunion to ALL MILITARY VEHICLES.

Brendan from This Old Jeep asked me to put the word out about a soccer team fundraiser that includes a teen who built a very nice Willys Truck.  You can learn more about it here.  The goal is to raise $300 for the club, but a side goal is to get as many classic jeeps there as possible.

The event takes place at Saturday Oct. 1st 2011. 11am-2pm perryville Outlets Center Heather Ln Perryville Md. www.perryvilleoutletcenter.com This venue is just off of I95 at exit 93 so its easy to get to for most of us east coast guys. Registration starts at 9am.

Here’s a 4×4 event in Nevada, Iowa.    They would especially love to get some FC owners to attend, but it looks like a variety of 4wd vehicles will be there.

The 2011 IOWA ALL BREEDS JEEP SHOW & 4X4 SWAPMEET will be held sept 24-25 at the Story County Fairgrounds in Nevada, Iowa 50201.  We will be on site all day friday sept. 23 for setup and early registration.The show goes from 8am to 5pm ish each day .  We expect several different 4×4 and jeep clubs to be present and including scouts , land cruisers , broncos , land rovers , jeeps , willies , kiasers , buggies , and a wide range of military vehicles . Some of the show highlights include  – 800′ off road driving course.

– Slow crawl contest
– Kids power wheels course
– RTI Ramp
– Blackhawk helicopter landing sat. morning
– Old and new military vehicles on display
– The Bantam Balancer  ( teeter totter )
– Swapmeet
– Winching contest  ( timed vehicle righting event )
– Door prizes and drawings
– Vehicle show and shine
– Rock climbing wall
– New Equipment vendors
– Jeep trailer judging new or homebilt
– Jeep and 4×4 inventions contest

$5.00 admission , $10.00 vehicle in show and shine only , $20.00 vehicle in all games and challenges all weekend  including show and shine.   Swapmeet booth 10’x10′ is $25.00 for the weekend ( most have 110 electicity ) , Business vedor booth 10’x10′ is $100.00 for the weekend , Free booths for 4×4 and jeep clubs.    Note; The usual safety equipment and insurance required for vehicles on cours and challenges .

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

SATURDAY SEPT 25 ,  2011 7am – 11am         vehicle registration open
8am –  5pm         vendors and swapmeet open for business
9am – – –  on        tech inspect available
10am – 11am       obstacle course demonstrations
11am – 12pm       course open to vendors ONLY
11am –  1pm       vehicle judging , trailer and inventions judging
1pm –  5pm         obstacle course open to all inspected vehicles
1pm –  4pm         RTI RAMP  and BANTAM BALANCER  competition
1pm –  4pm         slow crawl competition

SUNDAY  SEPT 26 ,  2011
8am –  11am       1st place winners staged
8am –  3pm         obstacle course open
8am –  3pm         vendors and swapmeet open
8am –  10am       RTI RAMO and BANTAM BALANCER
open10am – 12pm      roll over contest
3pm –   4pm       awards ceremony  & drawing  for more info call  1-515-708-0080

Sebastian was kind enough to share some pics from JeepFest 2011.

He writes, “I just came back from New Castle, it was an incredible event. More than 400 Jeeps, and just a week after the Bantam Festival in Butler (just a few miles away). It seems like Western Pennsylvania in August is the right place to be!.”

You can see more pics at his website: http://flatfenderclubofbutler.wordpress.com/

Once again Gerald took the time to share some pictures with us.  Bob had some information about the parade. In fact, at some point Bob and Gerald managed to connect (see below pic). From both of their comments, it is safe to say the parade eclipsed the old parade record held by the Colombians. Congrats to all the participated.

Bob writes,”The word was that there were 1106 jeeps in the parade. It went on until 10:30, and there were 35,000 people lining the streets of Butler.”

Gerald writes, “After the concert and I strong storm last night. I’m done. There is always next year. I’ll be better prepared. It’s already on for August 2012. I’m sure it will be even bigger. The parade was what everyone was talking about. It was over the top. The locals lined up deep and main street was full. The official count is 1108, I think. Unofficially 1700. We got the record details will follow.”

Windyhill writes, “Great show! I stopped by the “ewillys” table and saw the brick! lol. We just got home, about a 6 hour trip. I modified my 18 trailer so I could tow two willys as one time, my 3b and my brothers stock 3A for this trip. The parade was great, loved being able to walk down the street after and be able to start at the Bantams go threw the WWII Jeeps,and then threw the 2A’s 3A, 3B’s etc by decade! Saturday we got held up with a trailer bearing so I missed most of the show and shine but we did run my brothers stock 3A and my 3B threw the playground! It rained early Saturday which made for a soggy pack up but all in all a great time and we will return!

Here is Bob’s CJ-3B

Ever see a factory set of 9.00 x 13 high floatation tires?   There was a Navy 3A with an original set.   Wow (btw,
I got alot of comments about the Mini Terras and rims on my Jeep.)

Check out this firepower.

Camp and footlocker

Have you ever seen these bezels? Are they stock? (Ed note: I don’t believe they are stock.  I’ve seen similar ones on Phillipine vehicles that seemed aftermarket.)

Now that’s a trailer.

Random Bantam,  that’s an odd statement, but true at the fest. (BRC-40)

The playground

And that’s a rap. They ran out of shirts at the parade.  Everyone was bummed about that.

Later.

ps. I’m drinking lot’s of coffee today and planning for next year.

I’ve been busy all day … any updates will need to wait until later tomorrow.

Sebastain had a great day at the Festival.  He posted pics in two different locations:

http://flatfenderclubofbutler.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/welcome-32/

http://flatfenderclubofbutler.wordpress.com/2011/02/08/welcome-28/

Meanwhile, Gerald has been working hard peddling eWillys.  In his spare time he’s been enjoying the Festival.  He starts again at 6:30am.

Gerald starting off at 6:30am Saturday:

The set-up

Gerald notes h may have just become you East Coast Rep.  Little does he know that as the East Coast Rep his salary will not be much different than mine.  Did I mention it is a volunteer position Gerald?

The Jeeps

Bantam BRC 40 (not the original bantam, but the third version following the BRC-60 and BRC)

Only this update tonight ….

Gerald reported in just a few minutes ago.  Much fun had by all.  There were jeeps everywhere.  He hasn’t gotten the official parade count, but he said people were rolling in for hours.  Thanks Gerald!

Gerald notes, “Things were great tonight at the BantamFest Jeep Parade.  All I can say is there were hundreds………. here’s a couple shots.  i will get an official count on Saturday.”

The staging lot with the Lost Biscuit (Thanks to Gerald, I’m attending virtually.  Rub me for good luck!)

Registration

They were coming in for hours

Late model line ups

General shot.  It was packed

Main Street in Butler

Finished off with a late night tire change from NDT’s to the Turbines with Mini Terras for Saturday.

Already met some cool people, Maine to Australia.

Gerald is all ready for the Bantam Festival.  Note that I will be riding with him in spirit, as he will have a picture of me and Biscuit on or near his jeep.  So, stop on by, say hello, and get your picture taken with my picture. 🙂

Gerald writes, “We had my Dad’s 46 (red), Brother’s 48 (blue) and my 63 (cj3b) all in the same place for the first time.  My brother also has a 50 M-38 to add but here’s the 3 at the Butler Farm show with a couple other flat fenders from our club.”

UPDATE:  Don’t forget, it is this weekend!  I plan to be around Saturday afternoon.  See you there!

HOG noted that the 2nd annual Jeep Week in Ocean City, MD, is only a couple months away!  You can learn more at the event website.

Bob’s been busy with his camera this morning on what appears to be a beautiful Saturday in Mason.  He reports that fun was had at a local Mongolian BBQ last night, keeping some of the folks busy until late.

See all the photos here.   There seems to be a little something for everyone.

Bob’s got the first group of pics up from the 2011 Spring Reunion.  I have selected a few to share below, but click here to view all of his images at his flickr site. I’ll check for updates tonight.

Next weekend, May 20-22, the 19th Annual Spring Midwest Willys Jeep Reunion and Swap Meet takes place in Mason, Ohio.  Click here to learn all about it.  Bob will be providing up-to-the-minute photographic coverage for eWillys readers . . . oh wait.  I forgot . . . Budget constraints at eWillys corporate forced us to change from up-to-the-minute coverage to up-to-the moment-bob-feels-like-posting-images-and-simultaneously-has-internet-connectivity-and-isn’t-doing-something-more-important coverage. Thanks for volunteering Bob!

I received an update from the Festival organizers.  Click on the pic to learn about all the updates.