Organizers are planning a few new things for the Fergus Truck Show next weekend, but for the most part they’ll be sticking to what has made the show the leading truck event in North America over the last quarter-century.
The 26th annual show, which runs from July 22 to 24 at the Sportsplex in Fergus, will again feature a huge show and shine competition – one of the largest in Ontario – as well as the always-popular truck and tractor pulls, and a demolition derby.
“It’s mainly for the truckers … but I think everybody will have a good time,” said show and shine director Ginny Fleming, one of four directors with the 2011 truck show.
She anticipates between 300 and 400 trucks will compete in 52 categories for first and second place at the show and shine competition.
“But the truckers enjoy themselves, regardless of whether or not they win,” said Fleming. “For many of them, this is the only holiday they get all year.”
She is expecting anywhere from 150 to 200 campers this year as well, in addition to about 100 vendors offering a wide variety of goods, food and refreshments.
The show runs from noon until 1am (including entertainment) on July 22, from 9am to 1am (with entertainment) on July 23 and from 8am to 5pm on July 24.
In addition to the show and shine and truck and tractor pulls on the Saturday (sanctioned by the Great Lakes Truck and Tractor Puller’s Association), and the demolition derby on Sunday, other regular features at the show include a barbecue on Saturday starting at 6pm and the trucker’s breakfast on Sunday from 8 to 10:30am.
Back this year is the “King of the Hill” truck and tractor pulling series for local competitors, starting Friday evening at 6:30pm.
“The local pulls are back … we haven’t had them for a few years,” Fleming said. “We’re hoping to draw in some of the local competitors again.”
The show may also seem more family friendly this year, thanks to other additions.
Fleming explained there will be a children’s area in the pavilion behind the arena, which will run each day until 5pm and will be organized by local mothers from the group Momstown, based in Guelph.
“They will host games and activities for the kids,” Fleming said, adding that’s something that was missing from last year’s show.
Also new, she added, will be a Hot Wheels display, which will cater to “kids of all ages,” including those looking for their latest collectible.
Despite the additions, and organizational changes to reduce waste, redundancy, and unnecessary cost, the show will look and sound much the same as it has in the past.
Fleming explained there are always a lot of “regulars” the show, including truckers, vendors, campers and guests. Plus, there are also many familiar faces among the 2,000-plus individuals required to help ensure the event runs smoothly, including some who have been with the show since its inception.
“Without them, there wouldn’t be a lot done,” said Fleming.
She noted there are only four show directors, including herself, Keith Drinkwater (president), Crystal Forth-Hill (vice-president) and Xenia Futo (secretary-treasurer).
Fleming herself started as a volunteer about 10 to 15 years ago, registering competitors in the show and shine event. She never had a connection to trucking per se, but she just “got hooked.”
That’s the type of impact organizers are hoping this year’s show will have on the tens of thousands of truckers, vendors, campers, volunteers and spectators who attend the weekend-long event.
For more information on Fergus Truck Show, including a 2011 schedule, visit www.fergustruckshow.com.
