CLIFFORD – Truckers from near and far are revving their engines in preparation for the annual Clifford Truck Show this weekend.
The event takes place June 27 to 29 and typically sees between 300 to 400 classic and antique trucks and is a hub for all truck and trucking enthusiasts.
“We’re looking forward to a whole bunch of trucks coming,” show organizer Rob Johnston told the Advertiser.
The event includes food booths from the Rotary Club of Clifford, beer garden, barbecue dinner and camping. Truck registration and camping check-in at the Rotary Park is open on June 26 from 11am to 9pm. Those joining on the Friday can register from 8am to 9pm.
The classic truck show will then begin from 9am to 8pm, with the food booth and beer garden open from 10:30am to 7pm.
On Saturday and Sunday, a Clifford Firefighters Farmers Breakfast will be available from 7 to 10am, with Sunday being extended to 11am.
Truckers arriving on the Saturday may register from 8am to 12pm.
In past years Johnston noticed seniors struggling to walk the whole park, so to increase accessibility he now offers a shuttle wagon. The shuttle will be operating all day on Friday and Saturday.
“We’re truck enthusiasts, we like the old iron and we want to keep it alive,” he said.
Johnston has been running the show since 2008, and has been a trucker for 27 years.
“I call it a trucker reunion,” he said. “It’s pretty cost efficient and that’s what we wanted. It’s $10 at the gate to enter [and] $70 to camp for the weekend. Where can you go for that?”
Those interested in camping should note the grounds do not hookup to water or sewage.
The Great Lakes Truck Club will be hosting a barbecue dinner on Saturday night from 6 to 7pm, for $30 per person.
New this year will be an ice cream trailer where guests can cool off.
Campers may even meet friends from the United States, as truck drivers from Michigan and Ohio tend to make an appearance.
Last year, show organizers donated $5,000 to a hospice in Mount Forest and they hope to find a good cause for this year.
“I always try to find someone in the area who has problems,” said Johnston.
Chalmers Fuels has also donated $1,000 in diesel, all drivers will place their name into a draw and the winner will be announced at the pork chop supper on Saturday night.
Officials request that owners keep their trucks on the show grounds until 6pm on Saturday.
