Jeeps invade downtown for annual event
New York City has the Empire State Building, the nation’s capital has the Washington Monument, and now downtown Butler has the Bantam Jeep sculpture.
“It’s a symbol of our city, and the artistry that we’ll see tonight is a display of the talent we have in Butler County,” said Amy Pack, executive director of the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau, to a sea of people on Main Street.
On Friday, June 7, thousands of “Jeepers” crowded downtown for the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival. Coming from all across the country, Jeep enthusiasts parked along Main Street to show off their custom vehicles and embrace the camaraderie that is often shared among Jeep drivers.
Along with live music, food trucks and Jeep-centered activities, spectators also witnessed the unveiling of the newest piece of art representing the city’s history.
Based on the original Bantam prototype, Bill Secunda, of Summit Township, was able to create a living history monument of the wartime vehicle. A steel artist who also created the Cowboy statue on the south end of the General Richard Butler Bridge and refurbished the eagle statue on top of the Penn Township Veterans Memorial on Airport Road, Secunda was able to once again create magic out of metal.
“I love it,” said Cindy Glosher, of Butler. “I mean the detail is unreal.”
Jeff Geibel, president of the Butler AM Rotary and board member of Butler Downtown, recounted to the crowd how the Bantam Jeep has been an important part of Butler’s history.
“We’ve got more than 1,000 Jeeps here tonight from all over the country to visit the birthplace of the Jeep,” Geibel said.
Addressing the massive crowd, Mayor Bob Dandoy said the sculpture is a representation of the city of Butler.
“This statue represents the amazing talent and the industriousness and the work of a lot of people in this community,” the mayor said. “But it’s also a symbol. When you think of what we need as a city, as a state, as a country is people coming together with a single vision and working hard.”
Even with the unveiling of the statue and the celebratory vibe downtown, Jeepers were just happy to be with each other.
“I mean look around,” said Rachel Goeser, who drove from Michigan to show off her two-door pink Jeep. “I try to come here every year to show off ‘Pinky’ and be around my people.”
Doug Stollings, of Erie said he hasn’t been back to Butler in a few years and looks forward to seeing his fellow Jeepers.
“I missed these guys,” Stollings said. “I’m excited to show off my new lift.”
