Going to GATS? Here’s what’s doin’ in Dallas

Updated Jul 11, 2017

This year’s Great American Trucking Show runs Thursday-Saturday, Aug. 24-26, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in downtown Dallas, and features a Friday evening party for attendees.

The Aug. 25 party, sponsored by Uber Freight, will feature live music from trucker and recording artist Tony Justice and Australian singer-songwriter Jayne Denham.

Jayne Denham performs at GATSJayne Denham performs at GATS

Justice’s three records since 2011 have driven the rise in his profile among truckers. His fourth is due this summer. Justice drives for Greeneville, Tennessee-based Everhart Transportation Inc.    

The party will be held from 5:15 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Eddie Deen’s Ranch, next to the convention center. 

Admission is free and will include BBQ sandwiches and fixings. A free ticket can be picked up at the Uber Freight booth in Lobby B, near the main entrance to the show.

 Registration for the show and lodging information is available at TruckShow.com. Registration is free before the show begins. Onsite registration will be $10.

Attendees will get a firsthand look at the original tractor and trailer from the TV series “BJ and the Bear,” the original tractor from the TV show “Movin’ On” and, at the DAS RoadPro booth, a “Smokey and the Bandit” replica truck and trailer.

The Health Pavilion will offer services including retinal scanning, as part of diabetes screening, by Dr. John’s Medical Solutions; mammograms by Baylor, Scott and White; eye screenings by UT-Southwestern; and bone marrow compatibility tests by DKMS. DOT physicals will be offered by AccuScreen Drug and Alcohol Testing for a reduced price of $55.

The Progressive 5K Run/Walk will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, at Trinity Grove Park along the Trinity River. Proceeds will benefit the St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund, a nonprofit that helps drivers whose medical problems have led to financial hardship.

Established events returning to GATS include Overdrive’s Pride & Polish, Truckers News’ Trucking’s Top Rookie contest, the Overdrive-Red Eye Radio Trucker Talent Search finals, and Overdrive’s Partners in Business seminars, sponsored by Ryder and truckstop.com.

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Drivers can park their rigs for free at the TA-Petro Truck Parking Community. There will be free showers, free shuttles to and from the show and some basic truck maintenance offered by TA-Petro.

Live music at the parking will be provided nightly by Denham, truckers Bill Weaver and Paul Marhoefer and others. An auction will be held to benefit Trucker’s Final Mile.