C&W Fall Fest attracts truckers from across nation

Truckers from across the nation gathered in downtown Bettendorf on Saturday, Oct. 1, for a celebration – and a chance to win a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle. About 350 people, including 50 truck drivers, attended the C&W Trucking & Sons Inc.’s inaugural Fall Festival in the parking lot of the Alter Building, 2117 State St., on […]

Truckers from across the nation gathered in downtown Bettendorf on Saturday, Oct. 1, for a celebration – and a chance to win a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle. About 350 people, including 50 truck drivers, attended the C&W Trucking & Sons Inc.’s inaugural Fall Festival in the parking lot of the Alter Building, 2117 State St., on a sunny, warm October day. The primary goal of the event, which was open to the public, was to thank and honor the truckers and other workers at C&W.

“Without the drivers, we’re nothing,” said Andrew Burham, C&W’s director of national sales. “We’re hoping to double (the attendance) next year, and do better the year after that.” Mr. Burham added that the Fall Festival brought in many of its truckers from all across the country, including Texas, Florida, Alabama and the west coast. C&W has 165 drivers, 50 office staff and 10 support staff members. The trucking firm’s offices are in the Alter Building. One of the truckers visiting the festival was James Smout of Alabama. He said he liked the free food, drinks and the many prizes that were given away at the event. “I like what I see. They are doing it for the community. They are giving back,” Mr. Smout added. Another driver, Denny Lambert of Bettendorf, has worked for C&W for only a few months. He said one of his favorite parts of the festival was getting to meet some of his fellow co-workers. “I enjoy finally meeting people from the company,” he added. Others attending were attracted to the event by the live music, games, a bags tournament, prize give-aways, food, drinks and more. Among prizes given away were mini refrigerators for truck cabs, a 22-inch griddle, a 50-inch television, and the big prize of the day – a 2022 Harley-Davidson motorcycle. That grand prize was won by Jerry Applegate, a truck driver, according to festival organizers.