PENN TWP — Saturday's Mega Cruise at the Butler County Airport had an aerial twist.

It was the first time in the annual event's 13-year history that airplanes were incorporated into the traditional car show.

An airplane fly-in accompanied the event, with a variety of helicopters and airplanes filling the skies above the airport throughout the day.

Event Coordinator Kent Shoemaker, a member of the Penn Township Volunteer Fire Department, which co-hosted the show along with the airport, said the addition of the airplanes came after a recommendation from Steve Setnar, a township police officer and JetBlue pilot.

“He came and said he knows a lot of guys that would be interested in displaying some planes here if we were willing,” Shoemaker said. “I thought it sounded like a good deal.”

Shoemaker said the airport's director, Ivan Longdon, also was supportive of the idea.

“It lends itself to it,” Shoemaker said. “It's an airport. The planes are here, planes fly in here. It just makes for a nice combination.”

Various planes and helicopters were on display, including a rare 1939 Executive Spartan owned by Jim and Anita Savage of Gibsonia.

“Only 34 were ever made,” Savage said of his aircraft. “About 20 exist today, and only a handful of them still fly.

Savage said his plane was one of the first business airplanes created. It was once owned by John Paul Getty, the richest man in the world at the time, served in World War II under the Canadian Air Force, and was the Texaco oil company's corporate jet during the 1950s.

“It's a real treat to have that thing here,” Shoemaker said.

Savage bought the plane five years ago after it was damaged in a crash. He has restored it.

Savage said the cruise was a great opportunity for the community.

“I think it's something the airport should have periodically,” Savage said. “There are a lot of interesting planes in the area if you look for them.”

While airplanes and helicopters were the new feature of the event, classic cars remained a draw with nearly a thousand cars filling the airport.

One of which was a prize-winning 1933 Plymouth owned by Jim Chiprean of Butler. Two of Chiprean's friends, Chick Furl and Bob Newcaster, both of Butler, were displaying the car and a handful of the awards it has won over the years.

“We're the scrub boys.” Furl joked, adding that he and Newcaster do maintenance on the vehicle.

Both agreed the Mega Cruise was a great opportunity to show off classic cars.

“It's another great event,” Furl said, referencing other car shows in the Butler area. “And it's very comfortable here (at the airport). These events are just great for the county.”

Shoemaker agreed that the event was primarily a spectacle for the community that also helps raise donations for the fire department.

“It's grown bigger and bigger every year,” Shoemaker said. “We appreciate the community support, and we especially appreciate the support of the cruisers and those who brought airplanes in and helicopters. They make the show; they are the show. By them being here they're supporting our fire department and that's greatly appreciated.”

The event concluded with a fireworks display at night.