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Show held Sunday despite rain

Cade Ford, 11, the son of Jennie Gibson of West Sunbury, checks out the engine of a Volkswagen Beetle during Cruise-A-Palooza on Sunday.

CONNOQUENESSING TWP — Rain and low temperatures throttled back the number of customized and vintage cars on display Sunday at Cruise-A-Palooza.

“The turnout was there, but it was not nearly as much as if the weather had been nicer,” said Dan Cunningham, publicity director of the Rodfathers of Butler, which organized the event.

He said this morning that 200 vehicles checked in from 10 a.m. and noon at the Butler Farm Show Grounds.

“The people that own these cars they won't take them out of the garage if there is a sign of rain,” Cunningham said.

He said that Sunday was only the second time in 21 Cruise-A-Paloozas where it had rained all day.

But some owners don't think the rain was that a big of a deal.

“It's a car. You drive it in the rain. You wash it with water,” said Betty Kreutz of Slippery Rock.

Kreutz and her husband, Ray, brought their 2008 Dodge Challenger to show.

Despite the rain, they didn't want to miss the cruise because it is a chance to catch up with friends.

“There's people we see at car shows that we don't see all winter,” she said. “We've made a lot of friendships. It's just fun.”

Despite moving to the farm show grounds after being in downtown Butler for 20 years, the event had a relatively small turnout because of rain throughout the day and temperatures in the low 60s.

Ed Michael, activity director for The Rodfathers, said Sunday afternoon that there was a good turnout of spectators and more were expected in the evening for a fireworks display, a new addition this year.

Cunningham said this morning that the rain did end and the fireworks went off as scheduled in front of a good crowd.

Michael also said the rain was a factor in the cruise. He said for many car owners, their vehicles are too valuable to risk getting damaged by rain or mud.

“If you get a drop of rain, people won't come,” he said.

Moving to the farm show grounds made sense because it gives the event more room than ever before, said Cunningham.

“We can accommodate all the crafters and vendors we want because of the indoor buildings we have here. It just made sense,” he said.

Gary Arcurio of Brackenridge, Allegheny County, was another vintage car owner who didn't mind the rain.

He brought his 1926 Chevrolet 1-ton pickup truck, which he bought and restored 10 years ago.

“It was on the farm for 50 years. You think it got wet and muddy back then?” Arcurio said.

Arcurio said the truck is one of only six in the United States. The wheels, bed and cab are mostly made of wood, some of which has been replaced over the years, and the engine compartment is made of steel.

“I bought it to drive and have fun, even though it should probably be inside on display in a museum,” he said.

Ed Dunkel of Butler brought his 2011 Ford Mustang GT, which he races, brings to shows and also drives every day.

Dunkel said he fields a lot of questions about his car's paint job, since it is a shade of yellow that is discontinued.

“I love the car community, I've been involved with cars my whole life,” he said.

Doug Fee, co-owner of Trick Labs in Butler, said he and his employees brought 10 vehicles to show.

Trick Labs does custom upholstery, stereo systems and other body and engine work on a variety of vehicles.

He noted it is understandable that people who have spent thousands of dollars on custom paint and other modifications wouldn't come because of the weather.

“Some people have got way too much money in their vehicles. They don't want to get them wet,” he said.

One new exhibitor this year was the Pittsburgh Police Bomb Squad, which brought a truck, some equipment and an educational display.

Carlos Schrader, senior technician, said the squad goes to about 60 public events a year to educate the public on what explosives and live ammunition look like.

Anyone who comes across an object that they think may be an explosive should call 911 right away. Some explosives even look like candy or toys.

“Everything is real until we say it's fake” Schrader said.

The squad responds to about 100 calls a year throughout the region, including Butler County.

The Rodfathers plans to come back to the farm show grounds next year.

Proceeds of the cruise go to more than 30 charities which are listed on www.therodfathers.com.

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