The 45th annual Walcott Truckers Jamboree drew an impressive crowd of 53,453 people from Thursday to Saturday, July 11-13. Hosted at the iconic Iowa 80 Truckstop, the event attracted truck drivers, their families, local community members, and travelers from various parts of the United States and Canada, as confirmed by the Iowa 80 group.
Started by Bill Moon of Iowa 80, the Jamboree serves as a tribute to the indispensable role that trucking and truck drivers play across North America. Attendees were treated to a host of highlights that included the Super Truck Beauty Contest, vibrant live music performances, a captivating antique truck exhibition, and displays from over 150 exhibitors and vendors. Other crowd-pleasers included a dazzling fireworks display, the spirited Trucker Olympics, and a delicious pork chop cookout.
Delia Moon Meier, senior vice president of Iowa 80 Group and daughter of the founder, reflected on the event’s historic growth. The inaugural Jamboree took place in 1979, at a time when the trucking industry was undergoing major changes due to deregulation.
“There were almost no new trucks on the road. If a new truck drove by or pulled up to the fuel islands, everyone would run outside and look at it,” she reminisced.
“My dad (founder Bill Moon) got with the local truck dealers and asked them to bring some new trucks out to display during our appreciation event,” she continued. “My dad had some antique trucks—and his friends had some antique trucks—so they showed them off. It was unique! We had new trucks and antique trucks and Iowa pork chops. And that’s how the event started.”
Entertainment was a major highlight, featuring live concerts on Thursday and Friday evenings, followed by a spectacular truck light show and fireworks. Thursday saw performances by Royale Lynn and Matt Stell, while Shane Profitt and BlackHawk took the stage on Friday. Saturday’s festivities included a performance by Dani Lynn Howe.
The 45th Jamboree also coincided with the 60th anniversary of the Iowa 80 Truckstop, established in 1964. The celebration included a special cake from Baltimore’s Charm City Cakes, which attendees enjoyed on Friday afternoon.
The next Walcott Truckers Jamboree is set for July 10-12, 2025. Mark your calendars and prepare to attend this spectacular celebration of the trucking community. Stay tuned for announcements on the winners of this year’s Super Truck Beauty Contest, Trucker’s Best Friend Pet Contest, and Trucker Olympics.
Source: The Trucker
Photo: Iowa 80 Group
