WALCOTT, Iowa – Kayla Wildman was busy waxing the cab of a Demaree Trucking company semi on Friday morning, July 14, at the 44th annual Walcott Truckers Jamboree at the Iowa 80 Truckstop. But the young Indiana woman, who was at the jamboree with her truck driver boyfriend, was looking forward to the end of […]
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WALCOTT, Iowa – Kayla Wildman was busy waxing the cab of a Demaree Trucking company semi on Friday morning, July 14, at the 44th annual Walcott Truckers Jamboree at the Iowa 80 Truckstop.
But the young Indiana woman, who was at the jamboree with her truck driver boyfriend, was looking forward to the end of the day when work was done – particularly, the Friday night fireworks show.
“I’m going to sit on top of the truck and watch the light show tonight. It’s going to be really great to see it,” Ms. Wildman said.
The Walcott Truckers Jamboree had already attracted thousands of visitors by early Friday, the second day of the jamboree. Event organizers said as many as 50,000 people could attend the three-day show. Many of those visitors were looking forward to the fireworks, but others wanted to see new and old trucks, listen to live music, or visit the 175 vendors doing business at the event.
“We’ve got a lot to be thankful to professional drivers for,” said Heather DeBaillie, vice president of marketing at the Iowa 80 Truckstop. “Drivers deserve to be celebrated, and we’re happy to host an event that does just that. Professional driving can be a thankless job, but without trucks on the road consumers wouldn’t have food on the table or a variety of other goods we need and use on a daily basis.”
In addition to praising the nation’s truckers, Iowa 80 Truck Stop leaders also thanked the many volunteers who helped make the jamboree a reality.
“We want to shine a spotlight on those who help make this great event happen. Hundreds of people – from local scout groups to our trusted employees and special volunteers – go above and beyond in the weeks leading up to the Walcott Truckers Jamboree to help get things in order,” Delia Moon Meier, senior vice president of the Iowa 80 Group, said in a news release.
Some of the jamboree events that took place Thursday through Sunday included:
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- The Super Truck Beauty Contest with more than 90 trophies awarded in 32 categories.
- The country music band Shenandoah was the headline act Friday night. The Grammy Award-winning group is known for hits like “Two Dozen Roses,” “Church on Cumberland Road” and “Next To You, Next To Me.”
- The Trucker Olympics events to test drivers’ skills, strength and speed.
- The Iowa Pork Chop Cookout.
- The Truckers’ Best Friend Pet Contest had categories such as “Best Dressed” and “Best Tricks.”