Epic Willys Adventure 2024 Kicks Off at Bantam!
The Epic Willys Adventure 2024 will be taking off from Bantam! Epic Willys started as a pilgrimage to pay homage to the Jeep and the backroads of America. Race participants will drive hundreds of miles with no GPS or cell phones and they must avoid interstate roads. Their 2024 adventure will kick off from Bantam where we will hold an Epic send-off to their journey!
The competing Jeeps, their drivers and their support teams will be featured between the Jeep History Exhibit and the Military Encampment. Don’t miss this chance to meet the race participants and see their Willys Jeeps before they depart on Saturday, June 8. Check out this video of their departure at the 2023 Festival!
Photos from: L Welsh Photography LLC
Read more about Epic Willys Adventure…
The story of the Epic Willys Adventure begins with a few old Jeep enthusiasts talking about taking old Willys out of the farm field and giving them a new lease on life. Trip one went from Wisconsin to Moab, UT for Jeep’s 75th anniversary. In 2018, the Epic Willys Adventure went from Canada to Mexico along the Continental Divide. 2021 took the EWA crew on the original Oregon Trail from Independence, MO to Oregon City, OR. Last year, in 2023 the Epic trip took a New England loop starting and ending in Butler, PA, the birthplace of the Jeep.
Each trip averaged nearly 2,000 miles. No cell phones, no GPS, no interstate travel all in period correct 1940s and 50s Willys Jeeps. Sleeping under the stars and enjoying the beauty America's backroads has to offer. Now, the adventure continues. In the upcoming 2024 edition of this extraordinary event, the rally race embarks on an unforgettable journey, beginning its departure from the historic town of Butler, Pennsylvania, the birthplace of the Jeep. From this picturesque starting point, a legendary route awaits the daring participants as they venture southward on the infamous Moonshine Run. This iconic path, steeped in tales of rebellion and intrigue, winds its way through captivating landscapes, revealing the secrets of an era when resourceful drivers navigated treacherous terrain to transport forbidden spirits. As these period-correct Jeeps roll through the scenic vistas and hidden trails, the rally race becomes an embodiment of the resilience and audacity of those who dared to challenge the status quo. It's a thrilling convergence of history, adventure, and automotive prowess that promises to captivate all who witness this epic undertaking. Teams will be challenged, not only with navigating the route without the use of GPS, but will face daily challenges and opportunities to collect mason jars (points) along the way. Plans are being made for a mid-race concert event, open to the public, featuring one of Nashville’s fastest-rising stars, Elvie Shane! Learn more at epicwillysadventure.com or by following Epic Willys Adventure on all Social Media platforms!