The big trucks will soon be rolling in, a spectacle of lights and chrome, as the Fergus Truck Show takes over the grounds of the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex July 27 to 29.
For 15 years Ginny Fleming has been a volunteer and employee. Now vice president of the show, she admits the thrill of the event has not wavered.
“I’ve been doing this show for years,” she said. “The excitement of getting the show ready and seeing it through to the end is a great experience.”
It’s not just the event that Fleming enjoys, but the people.
“Truckers are a really nice bunch of folks when you meet them,” she added. “You get to know them over the years.”
The industry trade show has become a family tradition, with a weekend line-up of live music, events, food and camping. Still, the purpose of the show is also a celebration of the trucking industry, reminding one and all, “If you got it, a truck brought it.”
Since 1986 the show, initially intended to be a one-time event, has grown to become North America’s largest truck show, both in paid attendance and the number of big truck Show and Shine contestants.
It is estimated the show features over $150-million worth of trucks, trailers, equipment and accessories on display.
“This is the place for the companies with anything related to trucking to show off their merchandise,” said Fleming. “Some truck companies recruit new drivers here.”
For the men and women who spend most of their time on the road, the annual July show also gives them a chance to reunite with friends and colleagues and take pride in their work.
“I think it is amazing, what these people do, being away from home for so long,” Fleming said, adding that is why the Show and Shine competition is a highlight. It features a trucks and trailers competing in a variety of classes.
“The prizes aren’t big, but there is a tremendous amount of pride in winning. It is just the prestige of winning the award,” she said. “They’ve invested a lot of money in these trucks.”
She added while the competition is important, the success of the event is about the truckers themselves.
“This weekend is about the camaraderie and friendship,” Fleming insists. “It’s like a holiday for them. They can relax, have fun, bring their families along and get away.”
Fleming stresses the show is also fun for non-truckers, with three days of live music and events.
“Some people come because they just like to party,” Fleming adds, smiling.
With live music both Friday and Saturday nights, and the addition of the “Sunday Sit a Spell” performances of bluegrass and harmonies, there is a line-up of bands playing everything from country and rock to bluegrass and soul.
“We try to have a variety of music to please everyone,” said Fleming. “It’s all Canadian music and we stick to that. That’s the way we’ve done it since the start of the Truck Show.”
Headlining this year is Juno Award winning country trio Doc Walker, nominated for 2012 Country Album of the Year.
“We always try to have a big name act and this year, we are excited to have Doc Walker back again to take the stage,” Fleming said, adding, “We keep the local bands on the schedule every year, too. Our local bands are a great bunch of guys.”
Fleming notes the events throughout the weekend are fan favorites.
“The Demolition Derby on the Sunday afternoon draws quite a crowd,” she said. “The Truck Pulls and the Great Lakes Sanctioned Pull are a big draw. Some of our Show and Shine competitors will be in that.”
For the kids, there is a play centre hosted by Momstown of Guelph.
“They will have games and activities for the children to play, so the parents can let them unwind and have fun,” Fleming said.
The new Mighty Machines Showcase is a particular highlight. Based on the television program Mighty Machines, children will have a chance to safely explore some big machinery.
“It’s a real live show, where big machines are brought in, such as cranes, garbage trucks, buses, etc. And the kids get the opportunity to climb in the cab and try that out, and the kids love it,” said Fleming.
“We’ve heard good things about this show. We’re hoping it brings people out.”
To encourage continued attendance, this year’s show features reduced admissions.
“We reduced the fees for this year, to remain competitive,” Fleming said.
Admission rates for the 2012 show are:
– adults: $20 on Friday and Sunday, $28 on Saturday, weekend pass $65;
– seniors: $18 on Friday and Sunday, $25 on Saturday, weekend pass $50;
– youths (aged 12 to 18): $18 on Friday and Sunday, $25 on Saturday, weekend pass $50; and
– children (6 to 11): $2 each day, weekend pass $5. Under age five, admission is free.
The Fergus Truck Show is the major community fundraising project for the 24-plus groups who volunteer for the event.
Local organizations that have participated over the years include: Alma Optimist Club, Arthur Optimist Club, Belwood Lions Club, Centre Wellington In-Line Hockey, Country Wings, CWDHS Missions, Elora Mohawks, Fergus Devils Junior Hockey Club, Fergus Tennis Club, Grand Harmony, Tri City Football, Highland Rugby Football Club, Melville United Church, Men for Missions, Centre Wellington Rotary Club, Royal City Ambassadors, Fergus Lions Club, Community Resource Group, Fergus Boy Scouts and Fergus Curling Club.
“We have approximately 500 volunteers to coordinate,” Fleming said. “We start planning in January.”
To date, the Fergus Truck Show has donated more than $600,000 to these various groups and to the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex.
It has also generated more than $80-million in economic benefit for the community.
In 2003 and 2005 through 2009 the Fergus Truck Show was named one of Ontario’s Top 100 Events as well as the recipient of the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce Tourism Impact Award.
“There is a loyalty to the show,” said Fleming “We have campers who come every year.”
The Fergus Truck Show runs July 27 to 29 on the Sportsplex grounds. For a full schedule of events or more information visit www.fergustruckshowcom.
