So long, Can-Am athletes. We were happy to have you.
Over the last week, Butler County played host to the Can-Am Police-Fire Games, and we’re happy to say not only did it go off without a hitch, but the people who took part reported positive experiences in their visit to the place we call home.
The Can-Am games take place every other year, bringing together first responders from across the U.S. and Canada for some good-natured sporting events and camaraderie. It’s a chance for comparing notes and building up people who understand each other.
And we were happy to facilitate it.
Butler County Sheriff Mike Slupe served as chairman and CEO of the local Can-Am board. He and his team knew the hosting opportunity would be as much about showing off what we have to offer to such an event as it would be about bringing together first responders.
And the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau spent two years working with area businesses and organizations to make it easy for participants in The Games to fall in love with the county.
And that they did, according to a story by Eagle veteran sports guru John Enrietto.
“This is an absolutely beautiful area,” said Jack Rush, 32, of Fort Robinson, Ontario, after completing a 5K race on Saturday. “I love the greenness of everything, that lake over at Moraine (State Park) … everything seems so peaceful here, the people so friendly and welcoming.”
John McKenna, 64, of Illinois, described Butler County’s setting as “unique” in that “everything is so spread out, yet there’s so much to do and enjoy here. Coming from Chicago, it’s nice just to see so much grass and so many trees.
“We ate at the Apple Butter Inn and were very impressed. This is a great place to unwind.”
McKenna’s wife, Kathy, agreed.
“It’s so quiet and quaint, nothing like Chicago,” she said.
Christopher Harper, of Indianapolis, took his family to the Keystone Safari, saying: “We all loved it.”
He loved Slippery Rock University as well.
“I’m impressed by this school and the facilities here,” Harper said. “I wish I knew about Slippery Rock years ago. I’d have loved to come and play football here.”
This sort of enthusiasm about our localities is not a surprise to the people who work hard to make it a special place to call home.
We applaud everyone involved with the success of The Games, and look forward to seeing what big, bold move they make next to promote our county.
— RJ
