Butler Parts-A-Rama draws a crowd
FRANKLIN TWP — A blaring siren called out over a crowd of people perusing car parts, pieces and other items that make those special classic cars run, purr and growl.
The siren belonged to a 1973 Cadillac Miller Meteor ambulance owned by former Butler resident Tom Slimick, now of Marienville.
“I’ve received an overwhelming response,” said Slimick, who played the part of a tour guide as groups of people arrived to inspect the classic vehicle.
Slimick’s ambulance was part of the Car Corral, a special feature Sunday, the final day of the Big Butler Parts-A-Rama auto part swap meet hosted at the Big Butler Fairgrounds.
The corral specifically offers a cruise-like experience with the subliminal intent to sell. Slimick said he would even sell his ambulance at the right price.
It seemed every person he encountered had to be reminded it was not the same type of vehicle driven in the blockbuster movie Ghostbuster, which featured a different model produced by Miller Meteor in 1963.
However, Slimick’s ambulance had been in regular use even into the early 2000s, which to him, an active EMT of 33 years, is impressive. Slimick said the entire car is completely original.
“It’s solid metal, and it weighs about 7,000 pounds,” he said.
Slimick said he had been all over the fairgrounds over the last three days as it had a lot to offer, and he said the corral on the final day is a nice way to bring the weekend to a close.
“If you’re coming here, you have to come for all three days,“ Slimick said.
The Big Butler Parts-A-Rama claims to be the Pittsburgh Area’s largest auto part swap meet, and it looked the part with hundreds of vendors spread out across the fairgrounds from Friday to Sunday.
Mixed in with the trailers full of rims, the towers of tires and the tables full of license plates, were food and drink vendors pushing some of the crowds favorites.
Tom Robejsek, of Auburn Township, Ohio, was one of many who traveled from afar seeking the ideal parts for their collections. Robejsek said this is the sixth year visiting the swap meet.
“I think this is one of the better shows,” said Robejsek, who towed along a wagon full of parts he bought Sunday. “What I’ve been looking for, I was able to find.”
Walking through the lanes of the fairgrounds, the vendors appeared to sprawl deeper and deeper into the venue, reminiscent of the grounds’ namesake.
Ralph Sarver, of Center Township, has been setting up as a vendor for more than 30 years, and his tents feature more than just car parts. He also displays a number of metal signs and even a patchwork of used golf clubs.
“Over the years, I’ve had people come and tell me, I’m the reason they come to the show because I’ve always got something new and unique,” Sarver said.
Sarver said while setting up, he was mildly concerned about the hot, humid weather carrying into the weekend, but as Friday arrived, the humidity left, the sun stayed and the breeze kept things cool.
“The weather has just been fantastic,” Sarver said.
Nadine Napierkowski said she too was thankful for the weather as well as the many vendors who flocked to the event.
Napierkowski, a Middlesex Township resident, owns and operates the swap meet with her husband, Tom, and many other members of their family. The family took over the 40-plus-year-old event in 2018.
She said this year they had to add new spaces for vendors as the roster continued to grow.
“It’s nice to see the progress,” Napierkowski said.
Napierkowski said aside from the new vendors, the car corral has grown too, and it’ll be something they look to expand. She said they’ve been gauging interest from auctioneers on whether an auction may be a good fit for future corrals.
She said nothing is decided yet, but their goal is to keep improving the event every year for the many vendors and visitors who at this point feel like part of their extended family.
“For us, it’s a family thing,” she said. “It’s our passion.”
