North Carolina is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes, and there doesn’t seem to be a bad place to sightsee, unless you’re dealing with the road construction on I-26 leading up to I-40! This year marks the second year for the Semi Crazy Truck Show, held on a hill with a view of beautiful scenery in Waynesville, NC – along with a few beautiful trucks and tractors to look at, too.
The 2020 show was put together very quickly, but the fact that it was received so well left the show organizers knowing this needed to be an annual event. With that, they decided to move the show to spring so there weren’t any conflicting shows. In addition to this change, the organizers added the 25th Annual Ole Smoky Engine Association Tractor Show. This year’s show was held May 7-8, 2021, at the Haywood County Fairgrounds in Waynesville, NC.
I headed to North Carolina on Thursday, May 6, in anticipation of this year’s show. I left south Georgia with weather in the 80s and arrived in the Waynesville area to much cooler temperatures. Fortunately, I was prepared for whatever weather mother nature offered, which was a drastic difference from what I had just experienced a couple weeks prior at the 75 Chrome show in Florida and blazing hot temps.
Arriving at the grounds early, a couple trucks were already parked, along with friends Troy Huddleston, who rolled up in the black, lime green, and silver RoadWorks Manufacturing “Night Moves” combination, and Josh Foster (also from RoadWorks), who flew in from his home state of Arkansas for the show. I opted to turn in at a decent time after my drive up, so I was rested and ready for the next day.
Friday may have started out cool, but it turned out to be a really beautiful day. Plenty of friends showed up, and it was very nice to catch up with everyone. I was able to spend time chatting with Kenny Wilson, who brought in his beauty of a 1980 Freightliner FLC, and Tiffany Meadows, as well. Lewis Cantrell of Diesel Truck Parts, Inc. and the DTP Chrome Shop out of Spartanburg, SC was all set up, and Saturday would bring a very busy day for him, with plenty of foot traffic checking out his vast supply of available truck parts and accessories.
Saturday brought in more trucks, including familiar faces like Scott and Francina Mitchum, with their 1980 Kenworth A-model. The day was warmer than Friday, but the wind was less than desirable. Others in attendance were Chris Burke, who brought in his 1989 Peterbilt 362 cabover, his son Brady, who brought their 1987 Peterbilt 359, JT Mercier and his family, who brought their 2005 Kenworth W900, Skyler Stanley, who didn’t have his W900 with him but instead a Peterbilt 359 he recently purchased, Jason Goodman, with the 389 he runs for Three Cross Steel Erection, and many more folks who came out for the show.
The day was filled with plenty of interesting conversations, as well as eating, made possible by C & B BBQ, who requested donations as the form of payment for their food, the Kona Ice Truck, McLeod Concessions, and Marlowe Grading provided a candy and drink booth. Alex Mai of the Asian Mai Show was in attendance and interviewing various truck owners, Chad Violet of Chad Violet Pictures and his girlfriend Amanda were in attendance doing the industry right with Chad’s photography, and there were a variety of vendors, inside and out, to provide everyone who attended things to see and do, in addition to seeing all the amazing trucks.
Once the show concluded, there was a small gathering at David and Tiffany Meadows’ home which not only provided some spectacular views, but a chance to visit even more. They extended their appreciation to those of us who helped and/or provided media coverage, however, it is us that are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of something that brings a positive light to the industry we are all so passionate about.
As with the 2020 event, show organizers Eric Smith, Courtney Smith, David Meadows and Michael Freeman, had no idea what to expect as a turnout, and this year definitely surprised everyone by increasing the number of 83 trucks in 2020 to 119 trucks. Along with the trucks, approximately 100 pieces of equipment (like tractors, engines, corn shellers, etc.) for the antique tractor club were in attendance this year, as well. There was a tremendous outpouring of support from not only the trucks and tractors that registered, but also the show attendees, who made this year’s show a great success.
These charity shows, which I make a point to attend, makes me very proud to be a part of the trucking industry. The shows are only as successful as the people who believe in them, and it shows with every one of the individuals who worked so hard to not only prepare for the event but see the show through from start to finish. Special thanks from the show organizers goes out to the Smoky Mountain Events Center, RoadWorks Manufacturing, DTP Chrome Shop, Bottomley Enterprises, and C & B BBQ for all their generosity and support with this event. Also, many thanks to each and every registrant and volunteer, because without everyone coming together, this event would not have been nearly as successful as it was.
Thank you to the organizers for their warm welcome to not only myself, but to everyone else who attended this show. Proceeds from this year’s show, just like last year, went to the Needy Kids Fund within the Haywood County School District. Everyone did a great job, and I already have my calendar marked for their third annual show, slotted for May 13-14, 2022. If you missed it this year, be sure to attend the show next year, which is held on a hill with a view, of some good-lookin’ trucks, owned by individuals with not only pride in their rides, but the industry, as well. As always, to all the drivers out there doing the deal, truck safe.