July 19th and 20th marked the 5th annual Gulf Coast Big Rig Truck Show at the MS Coliseum and Convention Center in Biloxi, MS. As a second-year attendee, I can tell you it is truly a great time with friends, family and, of course, good lookin’ trucks. With personal experience in the military and a love for the trucking industry, the founders and volunteers of this truck show have continued bringing this event to the gulf coast and raising money for the Wounded Warrior Project. Consistently every year, drivers come in from many areas of the south to show off their rides, all polished and shined.
I arrived in Biloxi, MS Thursday evening, July 18, and was already eagerly anticipating the start of the show the following day. Trucks had already started parking prior to my arrival that day. I made my way to the grounds Friday morning and it was refreshing to walk through the doors and into that air-conditioned building, where many trucks were already parked and cleaned. Trucks continued to filter in throughout the day, plus there was a salute to the military and first responders, some raffle drawings and an expo game in the afternoon. Plenty of vendors were set up including The Chrome Shack and Buck Landry’s Heavy Haul Mafia booth, which was full of HHM gear for sale.
Saturday, July 20th brought in the last of the trucks, followed by the first of two light shows for the day (they would turn off the lights inside the convention center for a bit and allow the trucks to turn on their lights and shine) and judging, just before Kyle Daigle took the stage performing many country hits. The crowd reacted well to the band which sounded very good. A total of 28 trucks were registered for the show. The day rounded out with another light show around 4:00 PM and a driver’s meeting just before the awards ceremony started at 5:00 PM.
There were some beautiful rigs in attendance including Shane P. Boullion Trucking’s Rose-colored 2001 Peterbilt 379 driven by Shane (our cover truck last month) and their black 2008 Pete 389 driven by his son, Nick Boullion. Also, in attendance was Kerry and Sundy Sevin with their patina 1981 Peterbilt 359, Bart and Kimberly Boudreaux with their black 1980 Peterbilt 352 and Mike Brevelle of JHT with his white 2002 Peterbilt 379. From what I saw, the award’s ceremony went very well, and everyone seemed to have been pleased with the outcomes of the awards.
The highlight of the show is always the Chrome on the Coast truck convoy which starts at dusk. This year’s convoy went smoothly thanks to all the drivers involved and law enforcement assistance along the entire route. I managed to get photos at three different locations during the convoy, including in front of the building, a crosswalk and, conveniently, sitting on the back of my car! Christopher Fiffie of Big Rig Videos was also in attendance and filmed much of the convoy. A total of 35 trucks participated in the convoy. It always amazes me how quickly the show comes to an end, but it is always fun to finish the show with meeting up with friends for dinner, laughs and great conversation.
This show continues to go forward, but it’s success would not be gained without the men and women that volunteer their time every year to make it what it is. As with every year for this show, proceeds benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. Special thanks to all the sponsors for helping to make this event possible and to all those who attended the show. Mark your calendar for next year’s event which is scheduled to be held on Friday, July 17 to Saturday, July 18, 2020. As always, to all the drivers out there doing the deal, truck safe. And the winners were:
ANTIQUE: 1st Chris Foret; 2nd Sevin’s Trucking; 3rd Bart Boudreaux.
CLEAN & SHOW TRUCKS: 1st The Chrome Shack; 2nd Shane Boullion; 3rd Acme Truck Lines (Lee Williams).
WORKING TRUCKS (UNDER 500K MILES): 1st Mercer; 2nd Superior Carriers; 3rd Fincher #13.
WORKING TRUCKS (OVER 500K MILES): 1st Shane Boullion; 2nd E&E Distributors; 3rd JHT (Mike Brevelle).
BEST CUSTOM TRUCK: JHT (Mike Brevelle).
BEST CHROME: Shane Boullion.
BEST LIGHTS: The Chrome Shack.
BEST INTERIOR: Mercer.
BEST EXTERIOR: JHT (Mike Brevelle).
PEOPLE’S CHOICE: Chris Foret.
TRUCKER’S CHOICE: (tie) Acme Truck Lines (Lee Williams) AND Webster Trucking.
