Sterling Hey, left, and Alanna Solo slide down a bouncy house during the Butler Area Community Day at Alameda Park, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
BUTLER TWP — With activities from bounce houses to animal shows and a full lineup of food trucks, there was something for everyone to do at Butler Area Community Day.
The event, a collaboration between Butler Township and Butler County Parks and Recreation, was held at Alameda Park on Wednesday, July 1.
Attendees said it was a great way to have fun with family.
“We thought it would be something fun and great for kids and it was,” attendee Haley Chakot said.
James Cottrill, another attendee at the event, echoed the sentiment, “It’s just fun for the kids.”
Butler Township Commissioner Jim Lokhaiser said the event was a success because of the collaboration with parks and recreation.
“We’ve always had a strong relationship with the county,” Lokhaiser said.
Amalia Goth plays mini golf during the Butler Area Community Day at Alameda Park, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Many different kinds of fun
With plenty of space available to them, organizers made sure there was something to suit almost any interest.
Car lovers got to see three antique Bantam vehicles, including an original jeep, as well as police cars, fire trucks and an ambulance.
Meanwhile, animal lovers enjoyed Grant Kemmerer’s Wild World of Animals show and saw animal ambassadors from the Tamarack Animal Rescue.
Those who enjoy live music had a variety of bands to choose from. Eugene and the Night Crawlers, a blues, act began the night; while the Pittsburgh Polka Meisters and the Boom Rockets, a rockabilly act, kept the live music going throughout the night.
Other activities included a nine-hole mini golf course, an ax throwing trailer and a martial arts show from Engage Martial Arts.
In addition, a lineup of food vendors appealed to many different tastes.
The night concluded with a fireworks display which, according to Lokhaiser, was “a little spiced up this year” for America’s 250th birthday.
The LifeFLight helicopter takes of after visitng the Butler Area Community Day at Alameda Park, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Excitement in the sky
One of the most exciting guests at Community Day was a helicopter from Allegheny Health Network’s LifeFlight program. After landing in a field, the helicopter’s crew gave people the chance to see inside the helicopter.
Even when things went wrong, guests still found a way to have fun. One of the birds escaped during the Wild World of Animals show, leading to a search.
During the search, one of the Butler Township Volunteer Fire District engines raised its ladder, which amazed Community Day guests Piper and Parker Shockey because they had never seen how far the ladder goes up before.
Kellen Toner plays mini golf during the Butler Area Community Day at Alameda Park, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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A performer entertains children during the Butler Area Community Day at Alameda Park, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Nevaeh Halster gets her face painted during the Butler Area Community Day at Alameda Park, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Kaysen Nesbeth throws axes during the Butler Area Community Day at Alameda Park, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Kellen Toner plays mini golf during the Butler Area Community Day at Alameda Park, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Kaysen Nesbeth throws axes during the Butler Area Community Day at Alameda Park, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Kyla Nesbeth throws axes during the Butler Area Community Day at Alameda Park, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Children spin a disc atop sticks during the Butler Area Community Day at Alameda Park, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Antique cars line the sidewalk during the Butler Area Community Day at Alameda Park, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Watson the American kestrel visits Alameda Park during the Butler Area Community Day, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Jimmy Toner, center, plays mini golf with his family during the Butler Area Community Day at Alameda Park, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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The LifeFLight helicopter takes of after visitng the Butler Area Community Day at Alameda Park, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Amber Toner plays mini golf with his family during the Butler Area Community Day at Alameda Park, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Melissa Goodwill with the Tamarak Wildlife Center speaks with attendees of the Butler Area Community Day at Alameda Park while holding Watson the American Kestrel, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Bailey and Charlee Skander look at the LifeFlight helicopter during the Butler Area Community Day at Alameda Park, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Sterling Hey, left, and Alanna Solo slide down a bouncy house during the Butler Area Community Day at Alameda Park, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Charlee Skander checks out the LifeFlight helicopter during the Butler Area Community Day at Alameda Park, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Melissa Goodwill, left, with the Tamarak Wildlife Center speaks with attendees of the Butler Area Community Day at Alameda Park while holding Watson the American Kestrel, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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