This year\u2019s Walcott Truckers Jamboree was a real \u201cwelcome back\u201d event for me.\u00a0 Held every year in Walcott, Iowa at the Iowa 80 Truck Stop, which just happens to be the largest truck stop in the world, this was the show\u2019s 35th year.\u00a0 And, on top of that, the truck stop itself was celebrating their 50th year \u2013 and turning 50 has never looked better!<\/p>\nngg_shortcode_0_placeholder\n
This show has always been special to me.\u00a0 The first time I came to this show in 1990 was my very first show ever, and coming back every year for me, and many drivers, is a family reunion of the show sort.\u00a0 A shirt I saw summed it all up \u2013 it said, \u201cSomethin\u2019 \u2018bout a truck!\u201d \u2013 and boy is that true.\u00a0 There is something special about every one of these trucks, and every one of them has a driver or owner with a story to tell.<\/p>\n
The Jamboree is a place where we can all reminisce about the past, share stories about our friends who are gone, and remember the trucks that were awesome in their day.\u00a0 The owners of Iowa 80, the Moon family, put on this event every year to say \u201cthank you\u201d to the drivers and their employees, as well.\u00a0 I have watched this show grow over the decades, but no matter how big it gets, one thing will never change \u2013 the fun we have and the friends we make here.<\/p>\n
This year I got to share my favorite show with my friends Heather and Roger Hogeland.\u00a0 In all of the years they showed their trucks, they never made it to the Jamboree, and after this week, they regret not being able to participate in this event.\u00a0 But, they are planning to be back next year.\u00a0 Heather and I were asked to judge the interiors, and it was hard.\u00a0 We know how hard it is to make the inside of a truck special \u2013 we\u2019ve both been there, done that!\u00a0 Of course, we were the last judges out there, but in our defense, we had to get in and out of all the trucks to do it right, so it took a little longer.\u00a0 Roger was sent out to judge a class of combos, and then on Thursday night, the three of us, along with our dear friend Paul Abelson, set out to judge the Lights at Night, but it did not go very smooth.<\/p>\n
We set out with a 10 pm deadline to judge the lights.\u00a0 With train horns blowing, fireworks exploding, and a full moon hanging in the sky, we made it all the way to the end of the line and then the golf cart died.\u00a0 Heather and I took off for the tent to get another cart, but on our way we ran into Delia and she said, \u201cTake mine \u2013 it holds four.\u201d\u00a0 Back we go to get the guys and continue judging, then a guy says, \u201cYou know you\u2019ve got a flat tire, right?\u201d\u00a0 So, back we go again, this time to get Paul\u2019s cart.\u00a0 This time we were good, and I am very proud to report that we accomplished our mission and finished judging at 10 pm straight up!\u00a0 Three trucking veterans with millions of miles under their belts and a technical writer for the trucking industry and we all forgot to pre-trip our golf cart!\u00a0 Well, that won\u2019t happen next year.<\/p>\n
At Iowa 80, \u201cfamily\u201d is not just lip service, it\u2019s a fact.\u00a0 So many places today do not want family members working together, but at Iowa 80 it is encouraged.\u00a0 Just talk to a few employees and you will hear about how they are \u201cpart of the Iowa 80 family\u201d and who else in their family works there, too.\u00a0 A perfect example is at the Caribou Coffee Shop in the main building.\u00a0 The first morning, Heather and I each got a latte.\u00a0 The next morning, Sherann remembered what both of us had ordered the morning before and her mother, Gina, who is a manager, was working with her, too.\u00a0 She also said that her granddaughter
\nLexi was working out in the tent.\u00a0 On Sunday, when we went back to get everyone\u2019s name for this story, another mother-daughter duo was working together \u2013 Beverly, a supervisor, was working with her daughter, Cari.\u00a0 At Iowa 80, they don\u2019t just talk the talk, they walk the walk!<\/p>\n
Everyone in the show gets a really nice trophy for being a participant.\u00a0 The Moons know that everyone works hard to get their truck or truck and trailer cleaned up for the show, and they want to make sure that everyone who comes is recognized for their time and efforts.\u00a0 This year, the hardware was gold, in honor of the truck stop\u2019s 50th birthday, and there was truly some \u201cBig Iron\u201d in the trophy department!<\/p>\n
What birthday party would be complete without a cake?\u00a0 This cake was extra special \u2013 it was made by Mauro Castano of Carlo\u2019s Bakery in Hoboken, NJ.\u00a0 As some might know, Mauro works with \u201cBuddy\u201d the Cake Boss on the hit TV show.\u00a0 A replica of the truck stop along with six huge sheet cakes was baked on Tuesday and then left Hoboken, NJ on Thursday afternoon.\u00a0 At the ceremony, prior to cutting the cake, Delia Moon Meier told us that after watching the show and all the drama associated with delivering the cakes, she was a little worried that she might have to serve everyone Twix candy bars if it didn\u2019t make it.\u00a0 Delivered safe and sound on Friday morning, this cake was awesome \u2013 and delicious.<\/p>\n
The concerts on stage Thursday night had the band \u201cNorth of 40\u201d opening for Chris Janson (I wish I had just a smidgen of this young man\u2019s energy) \u2013 and boy can this guy sure play the harmonica.\u00a0 On Friday night, Lindsay Lawler opened for country music legend John Anderson, who had just been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame two weeks earlier.\u00a0 I have a video of him singing his closing song, Seminole Wind, and now, every time I play it, I will be taken back to this great night in Walcott, Iowa.\u00a0 On Saturday afternoon, Dani Lynn Howe was the last to take the stage before the real stars of the event \u2013 the participants in the Super Truck Beauty Contest, as they handed out all of those beautiful gold trophies to the excited winners.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve never been to the Jamboree, the stage is set up and then \u201cchairs\u201d (hay bales) are set up in front of it, along with lawn chairs that people bring to sit in any open spot \u2013 it\u2019s just a great \u201cfamily\u201d get-together.\u00a0 Sitting on a hay bale Saturday night brought back loads of memories for me, and some were bittersweet.\u00a0 I am thankful that Heather was finally able to share what I had talked about for years, but we were both missing the friend that I had met there 24 years ago, Bette Garber.\u00a0 Bette would have loved being part of our adventures this year and all the fun we had.\u00a0 Bette, we will always miss you!<\/p>\n
Carolyn Moon, the owner of the truck stop, jokingly said at the awards that she was there in the beginning and she wanted to speak while she could still remember (you never know about next year).\u00a0 How true that is \u2013 none of us know what tomorrow will bring, let alone next year, but we will set our sights on making it to the 36th Jamboree, for sure.\u00a0 Carolyn shared a memory with me about the light show.\u00a0 In the early years, drivers kept asking for a light show, but they were just too busy with everything else to do it.\u00a0 But, like everything else, when you ask for something at Iowa 80, they will make it happen.\u00a0 Now, the \u201cLights at Night\u201d is one of Carolyn\u2019s favorite parts of the entire event each year.<\/p>\n
A beautiful stone monument was dedicated on Saturday afternoon just outside of the main building.\u00a0 When the black plastic was removed, it said: \u201cServing you is our world!\u00a0 Dedicated to the generations of truck drivers, their families, and the people who work here that have built this destination.\u00a0 It has been a great adventure being part of your lives.\u00a0 Thank You.\u00a0 The Moon Family.\u201d\u00a0 Around the tall monument, I noticed that some flowers and a tree had been planted, and I, for one, will enjoy watching them grow over the years, just as I have watched this amazing truck stop continue to grow over the years.<\/p>\n
Thank you to the Moon family for listening to drivers and adding so many conveniences that are hard for them to find when out on the road.\u00a0 And, thanks for all of the memories of both hot and cold summers in Iowa, wind, rain and the sunshine, too \u2013 through it all, the show has, and always will, continue to go on.\u00a0 And this year\u2019s winners were:<\/p>\n
CABOVER:<\/b> 1st Neal Pearson, Lone Tree, IA \u2013 1984 Kenworth K100; 2nd Chris Gornik, Franklin Park, IL \u2013 1988 Ford CL9000; 3rd Mike Harbison, Morning Sun, IA \u2013 1982 Mack.<\/p>\n
COMPANY TRUCK (BOBTAIL):<\/b> 1st Darryl Kauffman, Shipshewana, IN \u2013 2004 Kenworth T800.<\/p>\n
COMPANY TRUCK (COMBO):<\/b> 1st Zach Pletcher, Elkhart, IN \u2013 2012 Kenworth.<\/p>\n
SPECIALTY:<\/b> 1st Buck Monson, Davenport, IA \u2013 1987 Peterbilt wrecker.<\/p>\n
BOBTAIL (2014-2011):<\/b> 1st Rollie Kruse, Toronto, SD \u2013 2013 Freightliner Coronado; 2nd Rodger Nelson, Warman, SK Canada \u2013 2013 Peterbilt 389; 3rd Dan Brown, Salem, WI \u2013 2012 Peterbilt.<\/p>\n
BOBTAIL (2010-2004):<\/b> 1st Larry Wheeler, Lowell, IN \u2013 2004 Peterbilt; 2nd Paul Saline, Rio, IL \u2013 2009 Kenworth W900L; 3rd Mitch Broderson, East Peoria, IL \u2013 2007 Western Star.<\/p>\n
BOBTAIL (2003-1997):<\/b> 1st JR Schleuger, Britt, IA \u2013 2003 Kenworth; 2nd Scott Lynch, Witt, IL \u2013 1998 Mack; 3rd Logan Massey, Worthington, IA \u2013 1999 Peterbilt.<\/p>\n
BOBTAIL (1996-1989):<\/b> 1st Ron Brubaker, Sigourney, IA \u2013 1993 Peterbilt 379; 2nd Chad Robertson, Clarence, MO \u2013 1996 Kenworth W900L.<\/p>\n
BOBTAIL (1988 & OLDER):<\/b> 1st Ernie Bates, Burlington, CO \u2013 1970 Peterbilt 359; 2nd Tim Stevenson, North Mankato, MN \u2013 1987 Peterbilt; 3rd Tyler Jaeger, Worthington, IA \u2013 1972 Peterbilt.<\/p>\n
COMBO (2014-2009):<\/b> 1st Dan Brubaker, Sigourney, IA \u2013 2014 Peterbilt & 2015 Wilson; 2nd John Hildreth, Guthrie, OK \u2013 2014 Freightliner Cascadia & 2015 Walker; 3rd Craig Schroyer, Celina, OH \u2013 2015 Peterbilt & 2013 Landoll.<\/p>\n
COMBO (2008-2000):<\/b> 1st Jerry Linander, Winona, MN \u2013 2007 Kenworth W900L & 2014 Great Dane; 2nd Shawn Cielke, Haugan, MT \u2013 2007 Kenworth T600 & 2014 Wabash; 3rd Shawn Swanson, Prophetstown, IL \u2013 2002 Kenworth W900B & 2010 Retinour.<\/p>\n
COMBO (1999 & OLDER):<\/b> 1st Daniel & Phyllis Snow, Harrison, AR \u2013 1996 Freightliner Classic & 2006 Utility; 2nd Wesley Wulff, Gann Valley, SD \u2013 1993 Peterbilt 379 & 1997 Dorsey; 3rd Dennis Hilker, New London, WI – 1994 Freightliner Classic & Utility Reefer.<\/p>\n
SHOW TRUCK:<\/b> 1st Harvey Zuidema, Morrison, IL \u2013 1957 DIVCO (the milk truck).<\/p>\n
CUSTOM PAINT (BOBTAIL):<\/b> 1st Ron Brubaker, Sigourney, IA \u2013 1993 Peterbilt 379; 2nd Dan Brown, Salem, WI \u2013 2012 Peterbilt; 3rd Mitch Broderson, East Peoria, IL \u2013 2007 Western Star.<\/p>\n
CUSTOM PAINT (COMBO):<\/b> 1st Dan Brubaker, Sigourney, IA \u2013 2014 Peterbilt & 2015 Wilson; 2nd Shawn Swanson, Prophetstown, IL \u2013 2002 Kenworth W900B & 2010 Retinour; 3rd Terry Redding, Omaha, NE \u2013 2012 Freightliner Coronado & 2011 Utility.<\/p>\n
CUSTOM GRAPHICS (BOBTAIL):<\/b> 1st Harvey Zuidema, Morrison, IL \u2013 1957 DIVCO (the milk truck); 2nd Larry Pruitt, St. Clair, MO \u2013 2007 Mack; 3rd Rodger Nelson, Warman, SK Canada \u2013 2013 Peterbilt 389.<\/p>\n
CUSTOM GRAPHICS (COMBO):<\/b> 1st Shawn Cielke, Haugan, MT \u2013 2007 Kenworth T600 & 2014 Wabash; 2nd Jerry Linander, Winona, MN \u2013 2007 Kenworth W900L & 2014 Great Dane; 3rd Craig Schroyer, Celina, OH \u2013 2015 Peterbilt & 2013 Landoll.<\/p>\n
POLISH & DETAIL (BOBTAIL):<\/b> 1st Ron Brubaker, Sigourney, IA \u2013 1993 Peterbilt 379; 2nd Paul Saline, Rio, IL \u2013 2009 Kenworth W900L; 3rd Dan Brown, Salem, WI \u2013 2012 Peterbilt.<\/p>\n
POLISH & DETAIL (COMBO):<\/b> 1st Shawn Swanson, Prophetstown, IL \u2013 2002 Kenworth W900B & 2010 Retinour; 2nd Shawn Cielke, Haugan, MT \u2013 2007 Kenworth T600 & 2014 Wabash; 3rd Jerry Linander, Winona, MN \u2013 2007 Kenworth W900L & 2014 Great Dane.<\/p>\n
INTERIOR (CAB ONLY):<\/b> 1st Scott Lynch, Witt, IL \u2013 1998 Mack.<\/p>\n
INTERIOR (OEM SLEEPER):<\/b> 1st Matt Baenziger, Kingston, IL \u2013 2005 Peterbilt 379; 2nd Shawn Cielke, Haugan, MT \u2013 2007 Kenworth T600; 3rd Larry Pruitt, St. Clair, MO \u2013 2007 Mack.<\/p>\n
INTERIOR (CUSTOM SLEEPER):<\/b> 1st Michael & Jackie Wallace, Miramar, FL \u2013 2007 Freightliner Coronado; 2nd Daniel & Phyllis Snow, Harrison, AR \u2013 1996 Freightliner Classic & 2006 Utility; 3rd Gary Greer, Barnhart, MO, 1974 Kenworth W925 Straight Truck (the whole box is his sleeper).<\/p>\n
LIGHTS AT NIGHT (BOBTAIL):<\/b> 1st Mitch Broderson, East Peoria, IL \u2013 2007 Western Star; 2nd JR Schleuger, Britt, IA \u2013 2003 Kenworth; 3rd Paul Saline, Rio, IL \u2013 2009 Kenworth W900L.<\/p>\n
LIGHTS AT NIGHT (COMBO):<\/b> 1st Matt Baenziger, Kingston, IL \u2013 2005 Peterbilt 379 & 2015 Merritt; 2nd Dan Brubaker, Sigourney, IA \u2013 2014 Peterbilt & 2015 Wilson; 3rd Shawn Swanson, Prophetstown, IL \u2013 2002 Kenworth W900B & 2010 Retinour.<\/p>\n
LIGHTS AT NIGHT (SPECIALTY):<\/b> 1st Buck Monson, Davenport, IA \u2013 1987 Peterbilt wrecker.<\/p>\n
BEST OVERALL THEME:<\/b> Larry Pruitt, St. Clair, MO \u2013 2007 Mack.<\/p>\n
TRUCKER\u2019S CHOICE:<\/b> Rodger Nelson, Warman, SK Canada \u2013 2013 Peterbilt 389.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
This year\u2019s Walcott Truckers Jamboree was a real \u201cwelcome back\u201d event for me.\u00a0 Held every year in Walcott, Iowa at the Iowa 80 Truck Stop, which just happens to be the largest truck stop in the world, this was the show\u2019s 35th year.\u00a0 And, on top of that, the truck stop itself was celebrating their<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":4814,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-4813","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-trucker-talk"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tenfourmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4813","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tenfourmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tenfourmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tenfourmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tenfourmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4813"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.tenfourmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4813\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4861,"href":"https:\/\/www.tenfourmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4813\/revisions\/4861"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tenfourmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4814"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tenfourmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4813"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tenfourmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4813"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tenfourmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4813"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}