Monday, August 15, 2011

Largest Jeep parade: Bantam Heritage Jeep Festival sets world record (HD Video)

BANTAM, PN, USA -- More than 1,400 Jeeps of all makes and models from across the country rode from Butler Community College on Route 8 to the heart of downtown Butler during the Bantam Heritage Jeep Festival , setting the world record for the Largest Jeep parade.

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  The Guinness world record for the First circumnavigation by amphibious car was set by Ben Carlin (Australia) in a modified Ford GPA amphibious jeep called Half-Safe.

Guinness World Records also recognized the world record for the largest parade of Jaguar cars: 767, organised by Silverstone Classic, Towcester, Northamptonshire (UK).

  Butler's mayor estimated there were 35,000 people at the Jeep Parade, the kick-off event for the Bantam Heritage Jeep Festival.

  The festival honors the 70th anniversary of Bantam Jeep, which was created in Butler.

  The Jeeps were divided by decade, starting with the 1940s, up to a few that looked like they were driven right out of a showroom.

  Jack Cohen, president of Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau, came up with the festival idea after he bought a Jeep and noticed Jeep owners have a kinship similar to that of Harley Davidson motorcycle owners.

   The bureau organized and was the initial sponsor of the event.