The 24th annual Fergus Truck Show has faced some bumps in the road this year, but it is now ready to roll down the highway like a big rig.
The show has overcome a number of difficulties this year, including losing some of its land near the community centre, and then the sudden resignation of Chief Operating Officer Wayne Billings, but now everything is back on track.
New Chief Operating Officer Bob Marsland said in an interview on July 9 that the top five attractions of the show are all doing well, and he expects a good turnout.
He said that the camping area is already so close to be filled that Truck Show officials are looking for more space as the demand is likely to increase as the show dates get closer.
There is a local truck pull on the Thursday night, and there is every indication that the Friday and Saturday night pulls will do very well, too. On Sunday there is a demolition derby, which is always a crowd pleaser.
As for the truckers themselves, Marsland said that registration to date was “about a week ahead of where we were last year,” meaning that once again, hundreds of truckers will be heading towards Fergus for the weekend.
Marsland struggles to understand all the economics behind that. “With the recession, the way it is, more people are staying close to home,” he suggested. But, at the same time, fuel is currently much cheaper than what it was a year ago.
And, he said with a smile, “To contradict that, we’ve got somebody coming from New Zealand. People are coming from all over.”
Mardi Billings takes care of much of the registrations, and noted that there is also someone coming from Scandinavia, too, and, she said, it seems like half of Maine is on the road to Fergus as well.
The other attractions at the show are doing well, too. She said the trade show is “almost full.”
She noted that tickets will be available on the web site until July 21, and after that, people can pick them up at the gate.
There are numerous other attractions.
Marsland noted that the midway is free, so children of all ages can enjoy free rides for the cost of admission. That includes adults, too, he said with a smile.
All the popular events are back, including the Show and Shine, an event that appeals especially to truckers.
Tickets include weekend passes that are cheaper if purchased now, online. Adults will pay $50 online or $60 at the gate. Students and seniors pay $35 online and $40 at the gate. A children’s pass for kids 5 to 13 is $15 on line, a savings of $5 over the weekend.
Tickets at the gate for adults are $10 for Thursday night, $25 each for Friday and Saturday night, and $20 for Sunday. Children age 5 to 13 pay $5 per day at the gate for any of the days.
Students and seniors will pay $5 on the Thursday night, and $15 for each of the other days.
All the music is free with one exception. International singer Terri Clark will perform on Thursday night.
Tickets for Terri Clark are $15 plus gate admission, and are available at the following branches of the Bank of Nova Scotia: Fergus, Listowel, Guelph, Orangeville, and at Ernie King Music in Goderich, Wingham, and the website now.
Clark will perform with Steelcounty and Adam Gregory, and Marsland said the tickets are “a good deal” and would be double or more at most city venues.
There will be a wide variety of musical entertainment the rest of the weekend, all covered by the admission price. Friday night is classic rock with The Stampeders, Trooper, Loverboy, and The Backroads Band.
On Saturday, the music is provided by Shelly Rastin Band, New Cumberland, Pauly and the Goodfellas, Ally Howatt, Dry County, Tara Oram, Doc Walker, and Moonshine
On Sunday the music is by Dan Badger & Tailgate, Settlers Creek, and George Canyon.
There will be lots of tasty food, too.
On Saturday morning the Fergus Kinsmen put on breakfast spread of scrambled eggs, sausage, pancakes and syrup, toast, coffee, and juice. The breakfast is open to everyone for a fee and is served in the community centre from 8 to 10:30am.
There is a Saturday night barbecue by the Alma Optimist Club, a roast beef dinner, for $15 and tickets can be purchased at the show.
On Sunday morning, there is a church service by Chaplain Len Reimer from Transport For Christ. He will lead a non-denominational service with many ministerials from the Centre Wellington area in the family area.
Child Find Ontario will also be on the site. Stop by the Ontario Trucking News for a chance to win a NASCAR jacket. While there, have your children’s fingerprints taken.
Camping is $100 with show passes. Wednesday to Sunday.
For more information or to contact the show, phone 519- 843-3412, or toll free to 866-526-7379, or fax: 519-787-0692, or email: info@fergustruckshow.com.
