Annual Mega Cruise attracts auto owners
Matt Gorski and his 2-year-old son, Shane, pointed through rain drops at classic and modern cars Saturday.
“Every one is their own work of art,” said Gorski of Valencia.
Although rain clouds and showers dotted the Butler sky, more than 1,000 cars cruised in for the 19th annual Mega Cruise hosted by the Penn Township Volunteer Fire Department at the Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport. The toddler's favorite vehicles are big, loud cars and trucks, his dad said.
The father and son duo attended the cruise last year and returned this year, Gorski said.
“I'm a big car guy,” he said. “Each has their own spin.”
By mid-afternoon, more than 500 vehicles — from antiques and classics to new, special edition cars, tractors, motorcycles and jeeps — filled the airport grounds, said firefighter Kent Shoemaker, who is in charge of the department's fundraising.
“No matter if it's a modern or classic, every owner is proud,” Shoemaker said.
Gary Arcurio of Brackenridge showed his 1925 Hup Mobile. He said he bought the vehicle three years ago after it sat in a garage for 38 years. In 1945, the high end vehicle cost $1,375, he said.
“I brought it back to life,” Arcurio said about the six month restoration. “I like old cars.”
His passion for older models comes from the fact they are not something people see everyday, Arcurio said. Variety is his favorite aspect of the cruise, he said.Marc Koszak of Allison Park brought his 1991 Ford Explorer he fully restored in the winter to resemble the vehicle in the original “Jurassic Park” movie, he said. That vehicle is one of the two featured on the dash plaques that the first 600 car show participants received.“It's an honor,” said Koszak, who has participated in the Mega Cruise for six years. “It's been my dream to be on one.”He created the “Jurassic Park” paint job in his own garage, Koszak said.“It's something I've always wanted,” he added.The vehicle is one of nine in his collection, he said, adding he recently had to build a four-car garage to hold them.Koszak's hobby developed as he grew up going to car shows and working in the garage with his parents, he said. At 15, his mother drove him in his first car to participate in his first show.
Since then, Koszak has owned 54 cars, some of which have been used on television and others that resemble movie classics such as a replica of the sheriff's car from the “Dukes of Hazzard” classic television show.Last year's Mega Cruise drew more than 1,200 vehicles and 3,000 spectators, he said. The turnout this year was considerable despite dodging the rain.Penn Township VFD is the primary first responder agency for the area, said Shoemaker, who has been with the department for 11 years. The proceeds will go toward new equipment, training and equipment repairs.The community event gives people the chance to see the airport and offers entertainment, he said.“You get a feel for community here,” he said. “It's the traditional things that make it great — food, music, cars and people.”
