With temperatures in the upper 70s and nothing but clear blue skies for the first day of the Swampeast Missouri Truck Show & Convoy, it was the most perfect way for us to start our first event of 2023 and kick off the new truck show season. The Swampeast Missouri Truck Show & Convoy was held April 14-15 at The Sikeston Sports Complex in Sikeston, Missouri, which is located about two hours south of St. Louis, directly off Interstate 55. Not only is this relaxed show lots of fun, but it raises money for a good cause that is near and dear to our family, as well.
Started three years ago by TW and Kerrah McDermott along with many friends and family members, the show benefits the Kenny Rogers Children’s Center (KRCC) in Sikeston, MO. The mission of the KRCC is to improve the quality of life for children with special needs and their families throughout the community by providing developmental and therapeutic services. The center serves children with developmental delays such as Prematurity, Muscular Dystrophy, Down Syndrome, Autism, Sensory Processing Dysfunction and many other developmental delays. My own daughter, Jolie, received physical and occupational therapies at the center for two years when she was younger, and it was very helpful.
Friday morning began with move in day to the complex, where many pulled in to park and relax and catch up with friends they hadn’t seen since last show season, while others went straight to work, cleaning up their rides, to see if they would be lucky enough to win a trophy on Saturday. At about 4:00 PM, trucks began to line up for a convoy that went up through Charleston’s Dogwood Azalea Festival to gain more spectators and then back to the Sports Complex. Ending the night with what is always my favorite part, the light show (pour a little glitter on the ground and watch those lights come to life)!
Saturday’s weather was a little unsettled, and everyone was sent running for cover multiple times to avoid rain showers. We were also under a tornado watch the last half of the day. Some trucks pulled out of the show and headed home early due to the threat of what the weatherman was calling “Gorilla Hail” that was predicted to fall. Nobody wants their truck to get hit by that.
A favorite memory of mine for the weekend was when a DOT officer pulled through the park just to check out the show. Someone asked him to hide and then mess with Rooster Davis and his “Wee Pete” go cart when he came through. The officer hid. Rooster drove through. The officer flipped his lights on, and Rooster hit the gas. When he finally came to a stop, a DOT inspection was given. The officer was an extremely good sport about the whole thing, and it can all be seen on TikTok.
In addition to a few specific awards given, there were also plaques awarded to the Top 10 trucks, voted on by the show participants. These cool little plaques were shaped like the cab door of a truck. The Top 10 awards went to Nolen Henderson, Jordan Henderson, Alex Kramer, Alex Campbell, Cecil Ray, Wesley Ward, Chris Evans, Jordan Jones, Colton Chase, and Matt Fouts.
The show location couldn’t have been better, with plenty of space to grow. There’s a pond, in which our girls fished with Rooster and Tyler Davis, a dog park, and playground equipment in multiple areas. Lambert’s Café “The Only Home of Throwed Rolls” is also a must-do place to visit when in town. Mark your calendars with next year’s dates, scheduled for April 19-20. Come out to Swampeast Missouri in 2024 and start your truck show season right.
BEST OF SHOW: 1st Zach Curry; 2nd Brandon Henderson; 3rd Joe Kampmann.
BEST LIGHTS: 1st Zach Curry; 2nd Joe Kampmann; 3rd Brandon Davis.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE: Donnie Emmons.
PARTICIPANT’S CHOICE: Robert Clevenz.