Jack Null, from Off The Grid Motorsports of North Canton, Ohio, shows Tyler Sneed, of Oklahoma, under the hood during the 11th annual Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival’s Jeep Invasion on Friday in Butler. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle

Downtown Butler was taken over by Jeeps Friday evening for the 11th annual Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival.

The Jeeps rolled into downtown Butler from all directions for the Jeep Invasion, as organizers chose to forego the Jeep parade in favor of a standstill event that allowed people to view the Jeeps and meet with their owners — at their own pace.

Jeanne Whitling of Oil City, who brings her two decorated Jeeps to events around the region in hopes of just making people smile, was among those showing their vehicles Friday.

“I just love Jeeps,” Whitling said. “I will come to this every year.”

Liz Folckemer and Morgan Huegel, of Erie, welcome Bessie Pellar, 3, of Richfield, Ohio, to pet their Old English Sheepdog Ellie during the 11th annual Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival’s Jeep Invasion on Friday in Butler. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle

After years of attending the festival, Whitling said she finally scored two prime parking spots on Main Street Friday evening, where her Cookie Monster Jeep and her Minions Jeep could spread many smiles.

A mail carrier, Whitling said she has tricked out her Jeeps in a few ways, including moving the steering wheel to the right side of her vehicles, but the vehicles’ appearance were most important to her.

A portion of this story is shared with you as a digital media exclusive. To read the full story and support our local, independent newsroom, please subscribe at butlereagle.com.