Car Cruises: Big Butler Drivers!
As the Birthplace of the Jeep, Butler County’s automotive history is well documented. And while cars and trucks are no longer built here, the love we have for automobiles is still in overdrive!
Want evidence? That’s simple.
Last month thousands of Jeep enthusiasts flocked from around the country to Slippery Rock’s Cooper’s Lake for the 13th Annual Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival. While that event is certainly huge, it truly is the tip of the iceberg for Butler County fanatics of four-wheel fun.
Maybe you had the chance to visit Westminster Presbyterian Church on July 15th to catch some classic station wagons that participated in the car show as part of the International Station Wagon Club’s annual conference which was held here.
Earlier this month, a Butler County hotel hosted hundreds of members of the Shelby American Automobile Club (SAAC) and Team Shelby for its 48th National Convention during the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix’s Historics events. And while we initially view the Vintage Grand Prix as a Pittsburgh event, Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport again hosted the organization’s “Passport to Elegance” gala.
The airport, of course, was the site of Penn Township Volunteer Fire Department’s “Mega Cruise,” which featured more than 1,000 vehicles.
Then there’s The Rodfathers of Butler, a local organization that holds multiple events to promote the good times, music, and vehicles from the 50's and 60's eras including Cruise-a-Palooza each June. The 2023 edition had 1,600 vehicles gathered on Main Street in Butler!
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the members of the Butler Old Stone House Region of Antique Automobile Club of America. This small group of auto enthusiasts maintain some of Butler County’s most historic vehicles and, many times display them (and their personal vehicles) at shows and parades throughout the region.
It seems that once spring arrives you can find a car cruise every weekend in Butler County. That’s great news. Car cruises – and related events like the Big Butler Parts-a-Rama – bring lots of visitors to the area and often raise lots of money for charities. Additionally, they help drive the local economy as participants and viewers stop at local restaurants and eateries, and often stay overnight.
We thank all those who take the time to organize events like these and we greatly appreciate their effort and dedication. If you would like to catch an upcoming car cruise, check out our events calendar or look at this handy list from The Rodfathers.