Lots to do at Jeep festival
Babes of Bantam
Calling all lady Jeepers at Friday at 9 a.m. This women’s only Jeep trail ride is geared toward beginner drivers looking for an introduction to off-roading. An “Introduction to 4-Wheeling” session will be held as well as a dedicated trail ride and obstacle course. If you have participated in Babes of Bantam before, there is a more advanced event; Babes of Bantam II on Thursday.
Bantam Boot Camp
Back for its second year, Bantam Boot Camp starts on Thursday at 1 p.m. Jeepers who have yet to go off-road with their vehicles will get the opportunity to learn off-road basics and try out a few simple obstacles as well as to learn common terminology, hand symbols and more.
Bantam Poker Run
This three-day event will run from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday; from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Participating Jeepers will get the chance to explore the area by checking into different locations before arriving at the final stop, where a dealer will deal a poker hand and the score will be recorded. Prizes will be awarded to the best and worst hands as well as a prize for one random winner.
Bantam Quarry at Kildoo Trails
This is another three-day event with sessions on at 10 a.m. Friday; at 8 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday; and at 10 a.m. Sunday. These three-hour trail sessions offer opportunities for stock, modified and “extreme” Jeeps to go off-roading just 4 miles away from Coopers Lake Campground.
Barbee Jeep Race
Become a child again by racing your Ride On Jeep for a chance to win up to $300. This Saturday event will allow riders to race their toy cars down a slalom-style course. Spectators are also welcome.
Best of Bantam
Come see if your Jeep is best in its class at Saturday’s Best of Bantam. Participants can register their Jeeps in one of 13 classes. Festivalgoers will vote on their favorite Jeeps. Awards for Class 1 and 2 entries will be given out at 2:30 p.m. Class 3 to 13 awards will be announced at 3 p.m.
Jeep Blessing
For $10, participants can have their Jeeps blessed on Sunday at 7:30 a.m. All proceeds will be made as donations to the Christian Jeep Association, ministers and a musician. Participants also get a souvenir.
Jeep Invasion
About 1,000 Jeeps will descend upon Downtown Butler on Friday night from two staging grounds. Starting at 6 p.m., Downtown streets will be shut down to allow visitors to enjoy live music, local vendors and, of course, Jeeps. All preregistered participants will receive a plaque.
Jeep ‘n Seek
Looking for an activity the whole family can enjoy? Jeep ‘n Seek is offering challenges and trivia in this digital scavenger hunt. Organizers are utilizing an app to lead participants on an exciting hunt through the festival and surrounding area. Participants can take part from Friday to Sunday.
Jeep Playground
The Jeep Playground is back with a new design and some fresh obstacles. Participants can climb their vehicles over dirt, rocks, tires and concrete obstacles; maneuver around poles; and cross over bridges and jersey barriers. The course will be open Friday through Sunday. Entry is $60 for all three days.
Jeep Team Challenge
Test your motor skills with the popular Jeep Team Challenge on Saturday and Sunday. A driver and a passenger will have to work together to complete fun obstacles while driving their Jeep slowly through a specially-designed course. Plaques will be awarded to the top five teams.
Night Ride
Are you scared of the dark? Preregistered festivalgoers who think they have what it takes have the opportunity Thursday night to participate in the Night Ops Mission. Drivers have two options — a stock trail for people who want to use their lights and another for Jeeps using only parking lights and the headlights as their guide. New this year is an earlier Family-Friendly Dusk Ride starting at 9:10 p.m. that’s perfect for families or those who want to take an earlier night ride.
Jeep Safari
The Jeep Safari is back for its second year. Jeeps with full doors and hardtop roofs are welcome to the Keystone Safari Friday through Sunday for hourlong group safaris. See up to 100 animals from 25 different species up close. Keystone Safari is offering a special Bantam package for participants that includes admission for up to five passengers, two food pails to feed animals and an exclusive stock-friendly driving area.
State Park Scenic Tour
Friday’s two-and-a-half to three-hour tour will cover the vision to create Moraine State Park, a mine runoff restoration project and a tour of the Foltz Schoolhouse near Jennings that was completely restored by a group of volunteers.
Light Bars & Brews
Let your Jeep glow at Saturday’s Light Bars & Brews. Jeeps will show off their lights in the festival’s parking area and will be judged by various vendors, though no light companies will be judging to ensure fairness. Judges will vote for the most colorful, the best use of lights and out of the dark. There also will be a DJ, craft beers, wine and more from Butler County breweries and wineries that will be selling beverages by the glass.
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