Here’s a 4×4 event in Nevada, Iowa.    They would especially love to get some FC owners to attend, but it looks like a variety of 4wd vehicles will be there.

The 2011 IOWA ALL BREEDS JEEP SHOW & 4X4 SWAPMEET will be held sept 24-25 at the Story County Fairgrounds in Nevada, Iowa 50201.  We will be on site all day friday sept. 23 for setup and early registration.The show goes from 8am to 5pm ish each day .  We expect several different 4×4 and jeep clubs to be present and including scouts , land cruisers , broncos , land rovers , jeeps , willies , kiasers , buggies , and a wide range of military vehicles . Some of the show highlights include  – 800′ off road driving course.

– Slow crawl contest
– Kids power wheels course
– RTI Ramp
– Blackhawk helicopter landing sat. morning
– Old and new military vehicles on display
– The Bantam Balancer  ( teeter totter )
– Swapmeet
– Winching contest  ( timed vehicle righting event )
– Door prizes and drawings
– Vehicle show and shine
– Rock climbing wall
– New Equipment vendors
– Jeep trailer judging new or homebilt
– Jeep and 4×4 inventions contest

$5.00 admission , $10.00 vehicle in show and shine only , $20.00 vehicle in all games and challenges all weekend  including show and shine.   Swapmeet booth 10’x10′ is $25.00 for the weekend ( most have 110 electicity ) , Business vedor booth 10’x10′ is $100.00 for the weekend , Free booths for 4×4 and jeep clubs.    Note; The usual safety equipment and insurance required for vehicles on cours and challenges .

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

SATURDAY SEPT 25 ,  2011 7am – 11am         vehicle registration open
8am –  5pm         vendors and swapmeet open for business
9am – – –  on        tech inspect available
10am – 11am       obstacle course demonstrations
11am – 12pm       course open to vendors ONLY
11am –  1pm       vehicle judging , trailer and inventions judging
1pm –  5pm         obstacle course open to all inspected vehicles
1pm –  4pm         RTI RAMP  and BANTAM BALANCER  competition
1pm –  4pm         slow crawl competition

SUNDAY  SEPT 26 ,  2011
8am –  11am       1st place winners staged
8am –  3pm         obstacle course open
8am –  3pm         vendors and swapmeet open
8am –  10am       RTI RAMO and BANTAM BALANCER
open10am – 12pm      roll over contest
3pm –   4pm       awards ceremony  & drawing  for more info call  1-515-708-0080

Sebastian was kind enough to share some pics from JeepFest 2011.

He writes, “I just came back from New Castle, it was an incredible event. More than 400 Jeeps, and just a week after the Bantam Festival in Butler (just a few miles away). It seems like Western Pennsylvania in August is the right place to be!.”

You can see more pics at his website: http://flatfenderclubofbutler.wordpress.com/

Once again Gerald took the time to share some pictures with us.  Bob had some information about the parade. In fact, at some point Bob and Gerald managed to connect (see below pic). From both of their comments, it is safe to say the parade eclipsed the old parade record held by the Colombians. Congrats to all the participated.

Bob writes,”The word was that there were 1106 jeeps in the parade. It went on until 10:30, and there were 35,000 people lining the streets of Butler.”

Gerald writes, “After the concert and I strong storm last night. I’m done. There is always next year. I’ll be better prepared. It’s already on for August 2012. I’m sure it will be even bigger. The parade was what everyone was talking about. It was over the top. The locals lined up deep and main street was full. The official count is 1108, I think. Unofficially 1700. We got the record details will follow.”

Windyhill writes, “Great show! I stopped by the “ewillys” table and saw the brick! lol. We just got home, about a 6 hour trip. I modified my 18 trailer so I could tow two willys as one time, my 3b and my brothers stock 3A for this trip. The parade was great, loved being able to walk down the street after and be able to start at the Bantams go threw the WWII Jeeps,and then threw the 2A’s 3A, 3B’s etc by decade! Saturday we got held up with a trailer bearing so I missed most of the show and shine but we did run my brothers stock 3A and my 3B threw the playground! It rained early Saturday which made for a soggy pack up but all in all a great time and we will return!

Here is Bob’s CJ-3B

Ever see a factory set of 9.00 x 13 high floatation tires?   There was a Navy 3A with an original set.   Wow (btw,
I got alot of comments about the Mini Terras and rims on my Jeep.)

Check out this firepower.

Camp and footlocker

Have you ever seen these bezels? Are they stock? (Ed note: I don’t believe they are stock.  I’ve seen similar ones on Phillipine vehicles that seemed aftermarket.)

Now that’s a trailer.

Random Bantam,  that’s an odd statement, but true at the fest. (BRC-40)

The playground

And that’s a rap. They ran out of shirts at the parade.  Everyone was bummed about that.

Later.

ps. I’m drinking lot’s of coffee today and planning for next year.

I’ve been busy all day … any updates will need to wait until later tomorrow.

Sebastain had a great day at the Festival.  He posted pics in two different locations:

http://flatfenderclubofbutler.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/welcome-32/

http://flatfenderclubofbutler.wordpress.com/2011/02/08/welcome-28/

Meanwhile, Gerald has been working hard peddling eWillys.  In his spare time he’s been enjoying the Festival.  He starts again at 6:30am.

Gerald starting off at 6:30am Saturday:

The set-up

Gerald notes h may have just become you East Coast Rep.  Little does he know that as the East Coast Rep his salary will not be much different than mine.  Did I mention it is a volunteer position Gerald?

The Jeeps

Bantam BRC 40 (not the original bantam, but the third version following the BRC-60 and BRC)

Only this update tonight ….

Gerald reported in just a few minutes ago.  Much fun had by all.  There were jeeps everywhere.  He hasn’t gotten the official parade count, but he said people were rolling in for hours.  Thanks Gerald!

Gerald notes, “Things were great tonight at the BantamFest Jeep Parade.  All I can say is there were hundreds………. here’s a couple shots.  i will get an official count on Saturday.”

The staging lot with the Lost Biscuit (Thanks to Gerald, I’m attending virtually.  Rub me for good luck!)

Registration

They were coming in for hours

Late model line ups

General shot.  It was packed

Main Street in Butler

Finished off with a late night tire change from NDT’s to the Turbines with Mini Terras for Saturday.

Already met some cool people, Maine to Australia.

Gerald is all ready for the Bantam Festival.  Note that I will be riding with him in spirit, as he will have a picture of me and Biscuit on or near his jeep.  So, stop on by, say hello, and get your picture taken with my picture. 🙂

Gerald writes, “We had my Dad’s 46 (red), Brother’s 48 (blue) and my 63 (cj3b) all in the same place for the first time.  My brother also has a 50 M-38 to add but here’s the 3 at the Butler Farm show with a couple other flat fenders from our club.”

UPDATE:  Don’t forget, it is this weekend!  I plan to be around Saturday afternoon.  See you there!

HOG noted that the 2nd annual Jeep Week in Ocean City, MD, is only a couple months away!  You can learn more at the event website.

Bob’s been busy with his camera this morning on what appears to be a beautiful Saturday in Mason.  He reports that fun was had at a local Mongolian BBQ last night, keeping some of the folks busy until late.

See all the photos here.   There seems to be a little something for everyone.

Bob’s got the first group of pics up from the 2011 Spring Reunion.  I have selected a few to share below, but click here to view all of his images at his flickr site. I’ll check for updates tonight.

Next weekend, May 20-22, the 19th Annual Spring Midwest Willys Jeep Reunion and Swap Meet takes place in Mason, Ohio.  Click here to learn all about it.  Bob will be providing up-to-the-minute photographic coverage for eWillys readers . . . oh wait.  I forgot . . . Budget constraints at eWillys corporate forced us to change from up-to-the-minute coverage to up-to-the moment-bob-feels-like-posting-images-and-simultaneously-has-internet-connectivity-and-isn’t-doing-something-more-important coverage. Thanks for volunteering Bob!

I received an update from the Festival organizers.  Click on the pic to learn about all the updates.