Back in 1979, the first Walcott Truckers Jamboree only had a couple hundred people and it featured just a few exhibits, live music, food and a small display of antique trucks. Last year’s event attracted over 44,000! All those years ago, the Jamboree was founded to celebrate American Truckers, and that is still at the core of the event. It’s Iowa 80’s way of saying “thank you” to the drivers for all of their hard work and dedication, hauling America’s freight. This year’s Jamboree was held on July 14-16, 2016, at the Iowa 80 Truck Stop in Walcott, Iowa, like always.
Having attended so many Jamborees over the years, I know how rare it is to get perfect weather. I can count on one hand when the previously two-day show, which has now got so big it had to be stretched-out to a three-day event, has had nice weather. Usually, you have a multiple choice of brutal heat and humidity, cold (yes, it has been cold enough that you need a jacket a time or two), heavy rain and/or flooding, hail, wind, or a miserable combination of several of these weather conditions – but not this year. After a torrential downpour late on Wednesday, the next three days were nearly perfect.
With nearly 175 exhibits, a Super Truck Beauty Contest, an Antique Truck Display, Trucker Olympics, the famous Iowa Pork Chop Cookout and several free concerts, there was plenty to see and do. On Thursday, July 14, Dani Lynn Howe & Band performed, as well as Clare Dunn (sponsored by Cat Scale); on Friday the 15th, North of 40 kicked things off and then Sammy Kershaw played, compliments of Mobil Delvac; and then on Saturday, the 16th, Lindsay Lawler performed. Thursday night is always a crowd favorite, which features the light show, along with the sounds of air horns, train horns and then a massive fireworks display (there were fireworks on Friday, as well).
I always look forward to seeing old friends when I go to the Jamboree – I have met so many people here over the years. Last year I met Audrey Cloutier and Kevin Bayette. It will forever be a special place for them, too, because that is where they first met, and now I am happy to report that they are engaged to be married in 2018. They run team on the Can-US truck “Pinkie” – an amazing all-pink 2016 Kenworth W900L with a matching 2016 Wabash trailer. My hearty congratulations go out to both of them – they are great ambassadors for our neighbors to the north. I also noticed their new matching tattoos, showing a heartbeat and each other’s name at the end of it – very cool!
Last year I also met Kate Whiting, who is encouraging me and many other drivers to get fit on the road (I did a feature on her in our January 2016 edition). We are all going to have to do this – stay fit – to be able to stay on the road, with the new regulations I keep hearing about. John Jaikes is another new friend I can count on my Iowa 80 list – his purple Kenworth reminds me a lot of my old truck, Illusion. I also got to meet some of my Facebook friends, Bill Krueger and his wife Nancy, at the show, which was awesome.
Although they did not make it to the show in time to compete, I had the pleasure of meeting Todd Campbell and Kevin Young. Their adventures on Facebook (and in the July 2016 edition of 10-4) are well-known, and it was great getting to meet them in person and see their infamous Freightliner cabovers. These guys are known for their fun two-lane adventures and the amazing photos they take and post along the way. The conversation was fun, and I hope one day to be able to run with them, at least for a little bit. I told Todd that I would be bringing a hood to the party, so I hope I still fit in.
Sometimes there is a truck that just makes you go “wow” and it seems like you have been friends with the owner forever. For me, this year, that truck would be the “Miles of Memories” Peterbilt 389 owned by Robert and Denise Errthum. This truck is a beautiful tribute to their loved ones who have battled cancer. The back of the bunk says “No One Fights Alone” and that is so true. I liked this rig so much, I did a special feature on it this month. The judges liked it, too. At their very first show, Robert and his inspiring rig took home the top honors in their Bobtail (2016-2013) class, in the Graphics (Bobtail) class, and were awarded Best Overall Theme.
Some other notable winners included Bob Harley and his 1972 Peterbilt 358 “Bad Attitude” (a past cover truck from January 2015), taking 1st place in the Show Truck class, the Paint (Bobtail) class and the Polish & Detail class, as well as a 3rd place in the Lights (Bobtail) class; Paul Rissler and his white and green “Risslerbilt” 1996 Pete 379 and 2008 Great Dane, which earned a 1st in the Graphics (Combo) class and the Interior (Custom OEM Sleeper) class, along with a 2nd place in the Combo (2001 & Older) class; and John Jaikes and his “Only Class” 1999 purple Kenworth and matching 2006 Utility, which won the 1st place trophy in the Combo (2001 & Older) class and the Lights (Combo) class, in addition to a 3rd place in the Interior (OEM Sleeper) class.
Family, friends and fun is what this special show has always been about. And the countdown (on their website) is already underway for next year’s 38th Annual Walcott Truckers Jamboree, which will be held July 13-15, 2017. Mark your calendar now and come out and join us for all the fun! If it’s your first Jamboree, we will welcome you with open arms, and if you’ve been there before, we will welcome you back. And the winners this year were…
CABOVER: 1st Terry Aslinger, Marquand, MO – 1995 Freightliner FLB (Freightliner Fever); 2nd Chris Gornik, Franklin Park, IL – 1988 Ford CL9000 & 1988 Lowboy (The Beast); 3rd Eldon Jaeger, Worthington, MN – 1983 Peterbilt 362 & 2014 Muv All Trailer.
COMPANY TRUCK (BOBTAIL): 1st Jay Blackbourn, Fennimore, WI – 2015 Peterbilt 389 (Haulin A).
COMPANY TRUCK (COMBO): 1st Michael Van Ness, Danville, IL – 2015 Peterbilt 579 & 2016 Walker; 2nd Audrey Cloutier & Kevin Bayette – Montreal, QC, Canada – 2016 Kenworth W900L & 2016 Wabash trailer (Pinkie); 3rd Jim Santy, Grand Mound, IA – 2016 Peterbilt 579 & 2016 Reitnouer (Dumb Dumb).
SPECIALTY: 1st Michael Coyne, Fond du Lac, WI – 1996 International 4900 flatbed wrecker (Gunslinger); 2nd Leonard Eads, Lathrop, MO – 1998 Peterbilt 379 & 2000 Max log trailer (Savannah); 3rd Ed Fisher, Wyoming, MI – 2011 Peterbilt wrecker.
BOBTAIL (2016-2013): 1st Robert Errthum, Olin, IA – 2013 Peterbilt 389 (Miles of Memories); 2nd Jon Ritscher, Green Bay, WI – 2016 Freightliner Evolution (Ride of Pride); 3rd Rodger Nelson, Saskatoon, SK, Canada – 2013 Peterbilt 389 (She’s Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy).
BOBTAIL (2012-2006): 1st Paul Saline, Rio, IL – 2009 Kenworth W900L (Satisfaction); 2nd Ken Pilkenton, Wildwood, MO – 2012 Peterbilt 386 (Man Cave).
BOBTAIL (2005-1999): 1st Dan Brown, Salem, WI – 2003 Kenworth W900L (Mango Tango); 2nd Justin Mosser, Millersburg, PA – 2004 Peterbilt 379 (Cowboy Logic); 3rd Gerald Lehman, Wolcottville, IN – 2000 Kenworth T600.
BOBTAIL (1998-1991): 1st Ron Brubaker, Sigourney, IA – 1993 Peterbilt 379 (One of a Kind); 2nd Alan Stillman, Johnson Creek, WI – 1998 International 9400i (American Screaming Eagle); 3rd Danny Autullo, Monee, IL – 1993 Peterbilt 379 (Lawless).
BOBTAIL (1990 & OLDER): 1st Colin Stuart, Harvard, IL – 1984 Peterbilt 359 (Working Class); 2nd Casey Carlson, Britt, IA – 1971 Kenworth W900A (Blackey); 3rd Lonnie Franks, Annawan, IL – 1976 Kenworth W900 (Spirit of ’76).
COMBO (2016-2011): 1st Joe Switzenberg, Mendon, MI – 2014 Kenworth T660 & 2013 Homemade trailer (New Sckool); 2nd Chad Sand, Royalton, MN – 2016 Peterbilt 388 & 2015 Mac (Overboard); 3rd Brian Pete, Mineral Point, WI – 2015 Peterbilt 389 & 2016 Mac.
COMBO (2010-2002): 1st Shawn Swanson, Prophetstown, IL – 2002 Kenworth W900B & 2010 Reitnouer (Pure Attitude); 2nd Michael & Jackie Wallace, Ashville, AL – 2007 Freightliner Coronado & 2014 Great Dane; 3rd Justin Congdon, Davenport, IA – 2005 Peterbilt 379 & 2016 Muv-All (Sub Zero).
COMBO (2001 & OLDER): 1st John Jaikes, Nanticoke, PA – 1999 Kenworth W900L & 2006 Utility (Only Class); 2nd Paul Rissler, California, MO – 1996 Peterbilt 379 & 2008 Great Dane (Risslerbilt); 3rd JR Schleuger, Britt, IA – 1972 Kenworth W900A & 2016 Manac (Little Red Baron).
SHOW TRUCK: 1st Bob Harley, Burbank, OH – 1972 Peterbilt 358 (Bad Attitude); 2nd Harvey Zuidema, Morrison, IL – 1957 Divco 13 (Milk Truck); 3rd John Adams, Cambridge, ON, Canada – 1948 Ford F6 (Follow the Sun).
PAINT (BOBTAIL): 1st Bob Harley, Burbank, OH – 1972 Peterbilt 358 (Bad Attitude); 2nd Ron Brubaker, Sigourney, IA – 1993 Peterbilt 379 (One of a Kind); 3rd Terry Aslinger, Marquand, MO – 1995 Freightliner FLB (Freightliner Fever).
PAINT (COMBO): 1st Chad Sand, Royalton, MN – 2016 Peterbilt 388 & 2015 Mac (Overboard); 2nd Brent Cross, Shipshewana, IN – 2004 Kenworth T800 & 2011 Utility; 3rd Justin Congdon, Davenport, IA – 2005 Peterbilt 379 & 2016 Muv-All (Sub Zero).
GRAPHICS (BOBTAIL): 1st Robert Errthum, Olin, IA – 2013 Peterbilt 389 (Miles of Memories); 2nd Jon Ritscher, Green Bay, WI – 2016 Freightliner Evolution (Ride of Pride); 3rd Eldon Jaeger, Worthington, MN – 1980 Peterbilt 359 (Destination Unknown).
GRAPHICS (COMBO): 1st Paul Rissler, California, MO – 1996 Peterbilt 379 & 2008 Great Dane (Risslerbilt); 2nd Audrey Cloutier & Kevin Bayette – Montreal, QC, Canada – 2016 Kenworth W900L & 2016 Wabash trailer (Pinkie); 3rd Daniel & Phyllis Snow, Harrison, AR – 1996 Freightliner Classic XL & 2006 Utility (The Goose).
POLISH & DETAIL (BOBTAIL): 1st Bob Harley, Burbank, OH – 1972 Peterbilt 358 (Bad Attitude); 2nd Paul Saline, Rio, IL – 2009 Kenworth W900L (Satisfaction); 3rd Ron Brubaker, Sigourney, IA – 1993 Peterbilt 379 (One of a Kind).
POLISH & DETAIL (COMBO): 1st Shawn Swanson, Prophetstown, IL – 2002 Kenworth W900B & 2010 Reitnouer (Pure Attitude); 2nd Jay Hawthorne, Grand Mound, IA – 2015 Peterbilt 389 & 2015 Wabash (It Is What It Is); 3rd Chad Sand, Royalton, MN – 2016 Peterbilt 388 & 2015 Mac (Overboard).
INTERIOR / OEM SLEEPER (BOBTAIL): 1st William Barksdale, Wyoming, MI – 2016 Kenworth W900L; 2nd Justin Mosser, Millersburg, PA – 2004 Peterbilt 379 (Cowboy Logic); 3rd Jay Blackbourn, Fennimore, WI – 2015 Peterbilt 389 (Haulin A).
INTERIOR / OEM SLEEPER (COMBO): 1st Chad Sand, Royalton, MN – 2016 Peterbilt 388 & 2015 Mac (Overboard); 2nd Audrey Cloutier & Kevin Bayette – Montreal, QC, Canada – 2016 Kenworth W900L & 2016 Wabash trailer (Pinkie); 3rd John Jaikes, Nanticoke, PA – 1999 Kenworth W900L & 2006 Utility (Only Class).
INTERIOR / CUSTOM OEM SLEEPER: 1st Paul Rissler, California, MO – 1996 Peterbilt 379 & 2008 Great Dane (Risslerbilt); 2nd Gerald Lehman, Wolcottville, IN – 2000 Kenworth T600; 3rd Ken Pilkenton, Wildwood, MO – 2012 Peterbilt 386 (Man Cave).
INTERIOR / AFTERMARKET SLEEPER: 1st Daniel & Phyllis Snow, Harrison, AR – 1996 Freightliner Classic XL & 2006 Utility (The Goose); 2nd Colin Stuart, Harvard, IL – 1984 Peterbilt 359 (Working Class); 3rd Michael & Jackie Wallace, Ashville, AL – 2007 Freightliner Coronado & 2014 Great Dane.
LIGHTS AT NIGHT (BOBTAIL): 1st Jay Blackbourn, Fennimore, WI – 2015 Peterbilt 389 (Haulin A); 2nd Paul Saline, Rio, IL – 2009 Kenworth W900L (Satisfaction); 3rd Bob Harley, Burbank, OH – 1972 Peterbilt 358 (Bad Attitude).
LIGHTS AT NIGHT (COMBO): 1st John Jaikes, Nanticoke, PA – 1999 Kenworth W900L & 2006 Utility (Only Class); 2nd Brian Pete, Mineral Point, WI – 2015 Peterbilt 389 & 2016 Mac; 3rd Jay Hawthorne, Grand Mound, IA – 2015 Peterbilt 389 & 2015 Wabash (It Is What It Is).
LIGHTS AT NIGHT (SPECIALTY): 1st Michael Coyne, Fond du Lac, WI – 1996 International 4900 flatbed wrecker (Gunslinger); 2nd Ed Fisher, Wyoming, MI – 2011 Peterbilt wrecker; 3rd Leonard Eads, Lathrop, MO – 1998 Peterbilt 379 & 2000 Max log trailer (Savannah).
BEST OVERALL THEME: Robert Errthum, Olin, IA – 2013 Peterbilt 389 (Miles of Memories).
TRUCKER’S CHOICE: Rodger Nelson, Saskatoon, SK, Canada – 2013 Peterbilt 389 (She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy).
