Butler County businesses, colleges prepare for Can-Am Games crowds
The Can-Am Police-Fire Games will bring hundreds of first responders to Butler County next week to participate in the Olympics-style event, but the real victory is possibly bringing so many like-minded people together to build camaraderie.
Jack Cohen, president of the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau, said he has notified hotels and businesses in the area to the games, which has hundreds of registrants in more than 30 events. The events take place across the county, in venues at Slippery Rock University, Moraine State Park, Butler County Community College and Butler Country Club, which Cohen said is nothing but good news for the local community.
Audrianna Bly, general manager of SpringHill Suites by Marriott Butler Centre City, said the hotel is booked up for this coming weekend and next weekend, but she is unsure if that is because of the Can-Am Games or usual summer visitation. Bly said she and the hotel staff will learn more about why people are staying in Butler once they start checking in for their stays.
“In the summer it’s typical for us to be sold out with weddings and other things happening,” she said. “We’re hoping we do see people with (the Can-Am Games), that way we can refer them to downtown businesses and other things in the county.”
SRU is hosting several events, including power lifting, a 5K and a 10K race, pickleball, bench press and more. Justin Zackal, spokesman for the university, said SRU has been working with the tourism bureau on the games since 2021.
“When tourism was putting in their bid to host the games, they thought we were a natural partner to help facilitate this,” Zackal said. “We’re happy to partner with the bureau and this is a great opportunity to do what we do best, and that's welcome people and host them here on campus.”
The university also is assisting with some of the promotional materials, and Zackal said awards for several of the events will be presented by a representative from SRU.
Mikayla Moretti, director of special events for BC3, said the main campus in Butler Township provides a great location for the events it is hosting, which includes the “Toughest Firefighter Alive.” The campus is also the location of the start and finish line for Thursday’s cycling road race, which Moretti said likely will also draw a crowd to campus.
“We have our burn building, our diving pond; I think we're just a perfect place for something like this,” Moretti said of the Toughest Firefighter Alive contest.
The tourism and convention bureau also organized a moving “Guns & Hoses Lounge,” which different restaurants will take on each day of the week to provide social opportunities for Can-Am participants. Cohen said the social events will help drive more interest to businesses.
“We placed these strategically so they could see that there’s more than one place; we really wanted to get them out and about to places they might not get to,” Cohen said.
Butler County Sheriff Mike Slupe is the chairman and CEO of the local Can-Am board, and said the social aspect of the games is just as important as the competitions. The after-hours events provide participants the chance to converse with one another, and share stories from their respective departments.
“The things that go on in Butler are the same things that go on in somewhere like Ontario; you won’t know until you find out,” he said. “Most first responders have the similar personality where they will introduce themselves to each other.”
Restaurants taking on the Guns & Hoses moniker include the Harmony Inn, the Beacon Hotel, the 11th Frame Bar and Grille, Grist House Beer Crib, Slippery Rock Golf Club & Events Center and the Sports Grille at Cranberry Township.
Deb Krelow, owner of the Beacon Hotel, said the business is planning several activities for Can-Am participants and their families on Tuesday, including a chili cook-off and an encore round of its signature event, “Fat Tuesday.”
“Tuesday is the one we’re anticipating because we have so many people coming to town,” Krelow said. “There’s a ton of things we’re going to do.”
