Mega Cruise drives full-speed ahead at Butler airport despite heat, Trump rally
PENN TWP — Neither the heat nor a campaign rally featuring a former president at a nearby venue drastically affected attendance at the 23rd annual Mega Cruise, held Saturday, July 13, at the Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport.
While many across the region flocked Saturday afternoon to former President Donald Trump’s event at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Connoquenessing Township, hundreds of others attended the traditional summertime car cruise at the Penn Township venue, which the former president had visited during his last visit to Butler County in 2020.
“I was surprised,” said Penn Township Volunteer Fire Department’s vice president Kent Shoemaker on Sunday. “I was amazed by the number of people — the number of cars and pedestrians — that showed up.”
Shoemaker estimated that 900 to 1,000 vehicles were displayed at the airport during the event. He noted the total was down slightly from previous years.
He said he fielded many questions about how the Trump rally might affect the car cruise, but said he never doubted that the Mega Cruise would draw a crowd. He was more concerned about the heat.
“We all knew it was going to be a scorcher,” Shoemaker said.
He said food vendors were prepared with ample fluids, and attendees were able to find shade to avoid the hot conditions, if even for a short time.
The Mega Cruise annually features the car cruise, food and merchandise vendors, karaoke, a silent auction and 50/50 raffle, and fireworks. The cost for spectators to enter the event was a small financial donation, which went to the Penn Township Volunteer Fire Department for equipment and training.
“You don’t get too many car shows that have fireworks,” John Pithers, a Butler resident and owner and operator of D’s Fair Foods, said. “That’s a big draw.”
On Saturday, the event spanned the entire field outside the airport’s hangar. The area was filled with all sorts of vehicles — airplanes, cars, trucks, motorcycles and more — both vintage and new.
Several food stands were present, as was a raffle table and a place to buy star-spangled hats, flags, blow-up alien toys, and ribbons.
The event lasted from 2 until 10 p.m.
Shoemaker said there was no announcement made about the assassination attempt that happened at the Butler Farm Show grounds Saturday, but people knew “instantaneously.”
The worry for the well-being of the former president and those who attended the rally was universal within the boundaries of the airport, he said.
“There was this feeling of overall concern,” Shoemaker said. “It didn’t matter the party. People were genuinely concerned.”
One person attending the rally was killed and two others were critically injured at a shooting at the Trump rally, according to officials. The gunman was shot and killed, after firing off a bullet that grazed the former president.
At the cruise were people like Patrick Shirey, who displayed his 1987 Monte Carlo SS at the Mega Cruise for his 15th time this year. After being gifted the vehicle, Shirey began to bring it to the Mega Cruise annually. He commented on the turnout of this years’ event.
“Every year, it seems like it grows,” Shirey said. “It’s a good turnout.”
Shirey noted the welcoming energy he felt from the car-collecting community and the Mega Cruise event in particular. He explained that he felt he could walk up to any car owner and strike up a friendly conversation.
The Mega Cruise is in fact a great place to look upon rare and vintage vehicles. From trucks to helicopters, there is something for everyone. Cars as old as the 1950s and as recent as this year were all on display.
Pithers, who had brought his food truck to the event, was on the lookout for a 1969 Dodge Charger at the cruise. He’s been a vendor at the event for nearly two decades.
“The firefighters that put this event on are a great bunch to work with,” Pithers said. “I love this event.”
