As always, the summer of 2007 has been a busy one for show-goers such as myself. There seem to be more and more regional truck shows popping up, and that’s good news for chrome junkies. By all accounts, this year’s Eastern Ontario Big Rig show in Stirling was a huge success and it continues to gain steam after just two years in business.

Fergus represents one of show season’s highlights for myself. It’s a great show to begin with, and it’s made all the better by the fact we get to present our Owner/Operator of the Year Award at the show. As luck would have it, a torrential downpour attempted to dampen our spirits during this year’s presentation, but we persevered through it (and so did the attendees who huddled under the beer tent), and it was a huge success. This year’s winner, Frank Vanderhoeff, is featured in the September issue of Truck News. He was truly a deserving winner. Thanks to our sponsors, Freightliner, Markel Insurance and Goodyear for making this award possible. Trucking can be a thankless job at times, so it’s nice to be able to recognize an exceptional owner/operator each year.

Next up was Rodeo du Camion. What can I say about Rodeo du Camion? That show defies description!

I’ve often been told that you have to attend Rodeo du Camion in person in order to understand what it’s all about. Now I know why. Words simply cannot begin to describe the atmosphere at ‘el Rodeo.’ While the Fergus Truck Show is a celebration of chrome and stainless steel and rubber, Rodeo du Camion is simply a celebration.

I’d guess that a large percentage of the 60-some-odd thousand people who cram into Notre Dame du Nord have no connection to the trucking industry. They are there for the party – and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Here’s a chance for the industry to showcase all that is glitzy and glamorous about trucking to a fresh audience – a young audience with limited exposure to the industry.

This trip was an adventure to say the least. Being a first-time attendee, I didn’t realize you have to book your hotel about a year in advance. With every room within 100 km booked up, I found myself sleeping in a rental SUV. I’ve attached a picture of the luxurious accommodations I shared with my fiancee. I don’t know if she’ll be back, but I know I will!