Jeep Invasion floods downtown businesses
The thousands of people who attend the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival don’t just bring their vehicles; they always bring their wallets and an appetites for local Butler cuisine.
Vince Tavolario, owner of Natili North, has seen this proven for all of the 11 years of the festival, and is preparing the restaurant staff for the June 10 crowd.
“I've seen people from all over the country — Michigan, California, Ohio, Florida,” Tavolario said. “Everybody I talk to loves the restaurants, the people, they're excited that they do this here.”
The Jeep invasion is scheduled to take place from 6 to 10 p.m. June 10, when thousands of Jeeps will be parked on Main Street and its byways in recognition of the birthplace of the vehicle.
Patty Jo Lambert, event organizer of the Bantam Jeep Festival, said there are about 2,300 Jeeps registered to attend the invasion, and the organizers expect at least 100 more to register on the day of the event.
Lambert also said the invasion this year is not a parade, but a street party-type event where Jeeps will be parked. So far, registration is down from last year, but that was anticipated by the organizers.
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