Cathy and Ken Bronder of Butler Township shared their bus ride with Jerome Bettis during Pittsburgh's Holiday Parade on Saturday.

PITTSBURGH — The Bronder family of Butler Township took The Bus to Pittsburgh’s Holiday Parade on Saturday.

Literally.

Not only did the longtime Steelers season ticket holders join the parade procession with their easily-recognizable customized black and gold bus, but they also were joined for a bit by The Bus himself: Steelers Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis.

“Oh, it was so much fun,” said Cathy Bronder, who waived her Terrible Towel the entire length of the two-hour downtown parade route.

In addition to members of the Bronder family, the bus’ visitors included Pittsburgh Steelers mascot Steely McBeam, Pittsburgh Penguins mascot Iceburgh, the Pittsburgh Pirate Parrot, and after the parade, Chris Jamison, who had been a contestant on the television show “The Voice.”

The family, which has owned the bus for about a half-dozen years, takes it to Steelers games near and far. Several years ago the students at the Butler County Vocational Technical School gave the vehicle a make-over paint job and stencil work.

Among the decorations are the words “The Bus,” now accompanied by Bettis’ autograph.

A friend of the family was in charge of parade preparations and thought Bronder’s bus would be a great addition because Bettis, who later rode in a limo, was the parade marshal.

The Bronder’s daughter, Nicole Robinson of Prospect, took the driver’s seat, and other passengers included 9-year-old granddaughter Grace Robinson and family friend Megan Gahring of Prospect.

The group hadn’t planned on handing out Terrible Towels along the way. But as children approached the Bus, Ken Bronder said they couldn’t help but give them towels from the stash they’d collected over the years.

After the parade, the family was asked to drive Jamison to his hotel.

“The girls were so excited,” Ken Bronder said.

The parade can be seen again at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 on PCNC.