One of the largest and most popular trucking industry events will be held online this year.
Organizers of the 2020 Walcott Truckers Jamboree today announced the event normally held at the Iowa 80 truck stop in Walcott, Iowa is going virtual this year because of the COVID-19 coronavirus. There will be an online Antique Truck Show; Super Truck Beauty Contest; Trucker’s Best Friend Pet Contest and free meals for drivers from July 9-11.
Numerous other truck shows have been canceled with some being held online.
“It was made clear yesterday by Governor (Kim) Reynolds’ order that we will not be allowed to hold our massive, in-person event this year. The good news is we will most definitely continue with our long-standing tradition of celebrating America’s truckers,” said Heather DeBaillie, vice president of marketing for Iowa 80 Group. “While we can’t host 45,000 people at Iowa 80 to celebrate, we will take the Jamboree virtual and still celebrate the important job of the professional driver!”
The Antique Truck Display will move online for this year with a slideshow of all who want to provide photos and information about their antique trucks. Likewise, this year’s Super Truck Beauty Contest will also be a virtual event. Drivers will have the opportunity to enter online, choose competitive categories, submit photos and the public will vote on their favorites. Winners will be announced on July 11.
The same process will be used for the Trucker’s Best Friend Pet Contest. Drivers are encouraged to register their pet and submit the requested photos or video to compete. Entries will be voted on and prizes will be awarded for Best Dressed, Owner Look-alike, and Best Trick.
Registration for all competitions will open no later than June 1 with an entry deadline of June 30.
The Iowa 80 Trucking Museum will also celebrate the 100th birthday of its 1920 GMC with a video event to be posted on the museum’s Facebook page on Friday, July 10. The truck will still be featured in the lobby of the museum for visitors who would like to see it in person.
All CDL professional driver customers visiting Iowa 80 on July 9-11 can receive a free meal in the Iowa 80 Kitchen restaurant. Meal certificates will be available during those three days at the fuel center, service center, Truckomat Truck Wash and Super Truck Showroom.
“We want drivers to know how much we appreciate the hard work they do,” said Delia Moon Meier, senior vice president of Iowa 80 Group. “This certainly isn’t the way we thought our 41st Jamboree would play out, but we care about drivers and their families and we still want to celebrate them. We truly hope everyone understands and we hope that you will join us in spirit and online July 9-11 in celebration of trucking. We look forward to seeing everyone in person in 2021.”
The Jamboree Program will be printed and available at Iowa 80 Group locations starting late June. All concerts are being rescheduled for 2021. More details and a schedule of online events can be found at truckersjamboree.com.
