Pittsburgh Steelers fans hold up signs before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Sue Ogrocki

With the 2026 NFL Draft sp close to home, the Butler County community is recognizing the occasion. Some fans have traveled to Pittsburgh. Others are celebrating right here in Butler County.

Learn about the celebrations below.

– Penn Theater brings NFL Draft experience to Butler’s Main Street

Ralph McElhaney wanted to find a way to celebrate his proximity to the 2026 draft, even if he wasn’t prepared to drive to Pittsburgh.

Rather than go to the party in “Picksburgh,” he brought the party Thursday evening to the Penn Theater in downtown Butler.

FILE - Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza holds the trophy after Indiana defeated Miami in a College Football Playoff national championship game in Miami Gardens, Fla., Jan. 19, 2026, (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

– FL draft 2026: Raiders pin hopes on Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza with No. 1 pick

– Steelers take Arizona State OT Max Iheanachor in 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh

On the Butler Eagle’s Facebook and Instagram pages, Matthew Glover and Zach Zimmerman have been in action at the draft. Catch Zach participating in the 40 yard dash, and see the picks happen in Pittsburgh live through their cameras.

— NFL draft attendees share hopes for picks, opinion on Pittsburgh

– From Butler to the NFL Draft: Boarding the bus to get there

A sea of football jerseys flooded the Route 528 Park N Ride in Jackson Township on Thursday morning, as fans boarded Butler Transit Authority buses to the NFL draft. It was one way fans were getting to the draft.

– Transportation, parking and safety at the 2026 NFL draft

– NFL draft 2026: How to watch on TV, parking in Pittsburgh, transit, schedule, when Steelers pick, more

Ehrman Crest student Sephora Stewart runs a mock football drill as part of a draft day event on Thursday, April 23, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

Matthew Brown

As the national spotlight turns to the NFL Draft coming to Pittsburgh, Seneca Valley School District brought that excitement into its classrooms with a districtwide NFL Draft Day on Thursday.

The district incorporated creative, draft-inspired activities that connect athletics to learning. At Ehrman Crest Elementary School, for example, NFL-inspired activity stations including giving students a chance to try out running back, quarterback, linemen, receiver and defensive backs drills.

— Seneca Valley School District shares NFL Draft excitement with students

Even with the NFL draft just down the road in Pittsburgh, the cost, crowds and sheer logistics of making the trip during the influx of visitors the event is anticipated to bring may be more than you want to handle.

One of these people who isn’t up for the roadtrip — Ralph McElhaney — is throwing his own party at the Penn. See how to join that guest list or consider visiting one of the local bars from a list curated by Butler Eagle staff.

– Penn Theater event brings the NFL draft atmosphere to Butler

– See which bars in Butler County are among the options for watching the draft