The last weekend in July is a trucker’s paradise here, with thousands of revellers expected to come out for the 29th annual Fergus Truck Show.
Organizers and volunteers are currently finalizing plans for the event which runs from July 25 to 27 at the Fergus Sportsplex. After bad weather put a damper on festivities last year, organizer Ginny Fleming is hoping for sunny skies and a large turnout this time around.
The show features approximately 50 exhibitors and vendors, 300 trucks and sees up to 10,000 people pass through the grounds over the weekend. However, Fleming says weather largely determines the success of the show. “The weather last year really wreaked havoc. It’s basically the weather that generates the (turnout),” she says. “If you’re going to go out for a day, you want a guarantee that you’re not going to get rained on, or have torrential storms like we had last year.”
Mother Nature isn’t the only one making it difficult to get visitor numbers as high as previous years. Fleming says economics is a factor as well. “A lot of the drivers would rather be out working— if they have a chance to take a long haul or something, they’re going to do it.”
She hopes lower ticket prices this year will also help encourage more people to make it out for the event. “They thought we were charging too much at the gate, (so) by lowering the price we hope that will help.”
Though not everyone is a truck aficionado, Fleming emphasizes that there is something for everyone to enjoy, whether it be the many talented musicians set to take the stage or the demolition derby.
And the trucks are pretty cool too.
“There’s lots to see and do, lots of entertainment and great trucks to look at – beautiful trucks. And some of them are decked right out,” she says. “Once you get wandering around and you see some of these trucks you’re going to be amazed at what they look like, what they have in them and how well the drivers keep them.”
The Fergus Truck Show was held for the first time in 1986 as a fundraiser for the Fergus and District Community Centre addition. Today it is North America’s largest truck show in both attendance and contestants. To date, over $600,000 from truck show proceeds has been donated to various community groups and projects.
July 25
The fun officially begins on the Friday with gates opening to the public at noon. Visitors can spend the afternoon checking out a wide range of vendors on-site, taking in the entries in the annual Show and Shine or take the little ones to the children’s area under the pavilion for crafts and games. At 6:30pm the local truck pull begins, with the live musical entertainment getting underway at 7pm. Friday night’s line-up includes: Rudy & Saddleup, Settlers Creek, TimeGiant and headliners Silver Creek.
July 26
Events continue on Saturday with gates opening at 9am for the start of the trade show. Lawn and garden tractor pulls will get underway at 11am, along with the Trucker’s Olympics. At 3pm the Great Lakes Sanctioned truck pull starts and more local artists hit the stage at 4pm. Saturday night’s line-up includes: Corduroy Road, Tori Hathaway, Transit, Backroads and Ty Banton, Dry County and headliners Moonshine.
July 27
The last day of the show still has lots to offer. Gates open at 8am for the trade show and the Transport for Christ service starts at 9am in the Show and Shine area. Around 11am the Show & Shine awards will be presented and Marshall Dane takes the stage at 1pm. The demolition derby runs from 2 to 4pm, and is sure to end the weekend with a smash.
The show will be at the Sportsplex located at 550 Belsyde Ave., Fergus. Camping is available on the grounds from July 23 to 27 of the show weekend at a cost of $125 for unserviced sites, and $150 for serviced sites.
A full-weekend pass to the Fergus Truck show is $50 for adults and $40 for seniors and youth aged 13 to 18. Day passes for Friday and Sunday are $18 for adults and $15 for seniors and youth. Saturday passes are $25 for adults and $20 for seniors and youth. Children 12 and under are free. Reduced-price tickets are available after 8pm. HST is included in all prices. For more information, visit www.fergustruckshow.com or call 519-843-3412.
