According to the Butler County Historical Society, Butler is “rightfully known worldwide as the birthplace of the Jeep.” The Bantam Reconnaissance Car successfully passed Army testing, but the small Butler company lacked the manufacturing capacity needed to meet wartime demand. The federal government later shared Bantam’s design with Ford and Willys, whose factories mass-produced Jeeps throughout World War II. Since its inception, the three-day festival has divided activities between Cooper’s Lake Campground — the center for off-road events and vendors — and downtown Butler, where the Jeep Invasion and record-setting parade connect the festival directly to the birthplace of the original Bantam Jeep. Click the link for more. #bantamjeep #jeepfestival #butlercountypa #cooperslake bantamjeepfest cooperslake butlercountypa butler_history