There was a special excitement in the air as hundreds of car enthusiasts perused the classic vehicles at Sunday afternoon's Cruise-A-Palooza, as the event was held at its original home on Main Street.

The annual event has been held at the Butler Farm Show grounds for the past several years after many years on Main Street.

Main Street was blocked off between Jefferson and Pearl streets to make way for the cars on Sunday, and show vehicles filled the first block of every cross street as well. A Cruise-A-Palooza was also held at the farm show grounds earlier this year.

Those who displayed vehicles Sunday were very happy that the Cruise-A-Palooza, which is organized each year by the Rodfathers of Butler car club, was being held on Butler's main drag again.

Randy and Mary Alice Bowser of Butler Township will have shown their 1972 Dodge Dart Swinger in about 50 events by the time the leaves fall this year.

“We're just glad it's back downtown,” said Randy. “I just like the atmosphere here better.”

Those who attended the Cruise-A-Palooza also appreciated walking down the middle of Main Street and checking out the gleaming vehicles.

“It's great to have this many people in downtown Butler,” said David Bacon of Gibsonia. “It's nice to see the event back in town again.”

Bacon, a 1973 Knoch High School graduate, strolled Main Street with his wife and commented on the various cars.

“I'm looking to see if my old '55 Ford pickup is here,” Bacon said with a nostalgic laugh. “I rebuilt it in high school before I learned to drive.”

Mike and Sharon Bartley of Butler also perused the shiny classic cars and trucks in the bright sunshine.

“I like seeing the cars,” Mike said. “It's been a tradition for a long time.”

Asked to name his favorite classic vehicle at the Cruise-A-Palooza, Mike had trouble pinning down one vehicle.

“I have about a dozen of them,” he said. “I'm a Chevy man, so probably the '55 blue Chevy with the blue seats. The color scheme is perfect.”

Sharon Bartley hopes the Rodfathers will continue to hold the Cruise-A-Palooza downtown.

“It's nice that they did this and I hope they continue to do it,” she said. “It brings people out to see cars they would never see.”

John Malinski, the president of the Rodfathers, said he met with Mayor Ben Smith to discuss bringing the event back to Main Street.

“Everything seems to be going good, so we may take it the whole way (down Main Street) next year,” Malinski said.

He said he will meet with the mayor as well as the Rodfathers members after the event to see if they want to be downtown again.

Malinski said there's more nostalgia downtown, plus most Main Street businesses were open to sell their food.

Another plus, Malinski said, is that the elderly or disabled who live on or near Main Street can attend the Cruise-A-Palooza, check out the cars, enjoy music and get a bite to eat from one of the vendors set up in the North Main Street parking lot.

“This is a big thing for them,” he said.

The car owners also enjoy seeing one another's rides, as well as one another.

“It's like a big family reunion, really,” Malinski said. “Everyone watches out for everyone else's car.”

Malinski worked well into the wee hours in the week before the Cruise-A-Palooza to shine up his five Ford Mustangs, which he showed. The cars range from 1967 to 1973 models, including a rare 1968.5 California Special Mustang.

He appreciated the public's support as they stopped by the Rodfathers tent to buy 50/50 raffle tickets as well as the support of the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau, the city Redevelopment Authority, the city's probation department and all the businesses that chipped in to help him pull off the show.

“I hope to see everyone again next year,” Malinski said.

Ervin Blystone, 9, who liked the green cars best, summed up the thoughts of all who attended the sunny Cruise-A-Palooza on Sunday.

“It brings people together,” he said.