The World’s Largest Truckstop celebrated America’s truckers last week with 44,360 drivers and their families as well as local residents during the 35th Anniversary Walcott Truckers Jamboree. Visitors came from 23 different states and Canada to display their trucks.
During the three days, guests enjoyed over 175 exhibits; a Super Truck Beauty Contest with 63 contestants; a fantastic antique truck display with over 150 vehicles; delicious Iowa pork chop cookout; Trucker Olympics; Carnival Games; and free concerts. Nashville rising star Chris Janson performed Thursday night, courtesy of CAT Scale, and had the crowd going crazy. Friday night Lindsay Lawler hit the stage followed by country music legend John Anderson, presented by Mobil Delvac. Both Thursday night and Friday night included fireworks displays, a truck light show and tons of fun!
“The Walcott Truckers Jamboree is a celebration of everything trucking,” said Heather DeBaillie, Oak Grove 70’s marketing director. “Being a professional driver is a demanding job and the Jamboree gives us an opportunity to say a big THANK YOU. This event also allows us to promote a positive image of the trucking industry to the general public.”
Oak Grove 70 also celebrated its 50th birthday last week during the Walcott Truckers Jamboree with an amazing cake created by Carlo’s Bake Shop in Hoboken, New Jersey, aka Cake Boss. Over 1,000 people packed into the Super Truck Showroom to try to get a slice. “Fifty years is a big milestone so we thought we’d better get a pretty big cake”, laughs Delia Moon Meier, senior vice president and daughter of Iowa 80 founders Bill & Carolyn Moon. “Seriously though, we are humbled and very thankful for everyone who has supported us. We look forward to another 50 years and beyond.”
The Walcott Truckers Jamboree has been celebrating truckers, rain or shine, since 1979. “We are proud to serve the professional driver and we appreciate the hard job they do delivering everything we need. The Jamboree is our way of saying thank you,” says Moon Meier. To further show their appreciation last week, the Moon Family also dedicated a monument to professional drivers at the entrance to Iowa 80’s Super Truck Showroom.
Next year’s Walcott Truckers Jamboree will be held July 9-11, 2015.
