WALCOTT, Iowa — Hosted by the Iowa 80 — known as the “World’s Largest Truckstop” — the 42nd annual Walcott Truckers Jamboree, held July 8-10, was attended by more than 44,500 people, including drivers and their families, as well as other travelers and area residents. After the 2020 Jamboree was moved to an online format because of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Delia Moon Meier, senior vice president of the Iowa 80 Group, told The Trucker that she was especially excited about this year’s in-person event. “It’s the best kind of family reunion,” she said. Visitors flocked to Walcott, Iowa, from 22 different states and three Canadian provinces to display their trucks and join in the festivities. Drivers from Arizona, Texas, Vermont and Canada traveled the farthest, according to the Iowa 80. The Walcott Truckers Jamboree has been celebrating truckers, “rain or shine,” since 1979. “My parents started this event as a way to show their appreciation for the hard work professional drivers do each day delivering the goods we need,” Meier said. “It took a pandemic for the rest of the country to realize what we’ve known all along: Professional drivers are essential to our everyday lives, and they deserve to be celebrated. That’s exactly what the Walcott Truckers Jamboree is all about.” During the three-day event, guests enjoyed browsing more than 150 exhibits and an antique truck display of more than 100 vintage vehicles, along with an Iowa 80-style pork chop cookout, the Trucker Olympics, a pet contest, a truck beauty contest, a birthday party for a 100-year-old truck, and more. Visitors were treated to fireworks displays and a truck light show July 8 and 9. Live concerts were provided throughout the celebration, free of charge to attendees, courtesy of Mobil Delvac, Freightliner Trucks and CAT Scale. While this year’s event is now “one for the books,” the Iowa 80 team is already looking forward to the 43rd annual Walcott Truckers Jamboree, scheduled for July 14-16, 2022. BIRTHDAY PARTY This year, the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum celebrated the 100th birthday of its 1921 International Model 101. The celebration included birthday cake, refreshments and balloons. Dave Meier, the museum curator, shared the history of the truck. “The 1921 International Harvester 101 model was only made for a few years — 1921-1923,” he said. “This truck is believed to be the only one left in existence out of the limited number produced. It would have cost $4,500 brand new, which was quite a bit of money in 1921.” The International Harvester company, based in Chicago, was created in 1902 with the merging of McCormick Harvesting Machine Co. and Deering Harvester Co. Initially, the newly formed company focused on manufacturing tractors for agricultural use; but in 1909, it began producing work trucks. “This is the largest model in International Harvester’s line of trucks. The frame is 8 inches high and has seven cross members. The truck weighs 6,800 pounds and has a top speed of 14 mph,” said Dave Meier, adding that the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum purchased the truck in 2020 from Curt Fisher of Mankato, Minnesota. TRUCKER’S BEST FRIEND PET CONTEST There were plenty of furry friends (along with their drivers, of course) in this year’s Trucker’s Best Friend Pet Contest. Winners were awarded in three categories — Best Trick, Best Dressed and Owner Look-A-Like. Here are the winners: Best Trick Winner: Thunder, owned by Karen Heeter of Kingston, Illinois Best Dressed 1st: Casey Aaron, owned by Mary Peterson Norton of Knapp, Wisconsin 2nd: Karhma, owned by Mary Peterson Norton of Knapp, Wisconsin 3rd: Bandit, owned by Michael Van Ness of Georgetown, Illinois Owner Look-A-Like 1st: Wrangler, owned by Eric Goswick of Columbus, Nebraska 2nd: Casey Aaron, owned by Mary Peterson Norton of Knapp, Wisconsin 3rd: Karhma, owned by Mary Peterson Norton of Knapp, Wisconsin TRUCKER OLYMPICS Unlike the Olympic games in Tokyo this summer, spectators were welcome at the Trucker Olympics, where CDL holders showed their prowess in a variety of events. While everyone was a winner, the top contestants are noted below. Coffee Relay July 8 1st: Steve Brubaker and Darren Nolt 2nd: Jeremiah Wenger and Devin Nolt 3rd: Eli (Peanut) Weaver and Leon Hochstetler July 9 1st: Eli (Peanut) Weaver and Leon Hochstetler 2nd: Devin Nolt and Jeremiah Wenger 3rd: Steve Brubaker and Darren Nolt July 10 1st: Steve Brubaker and Darren Nolt 2nd: Devin Nolt and Jeremiah Wenger 3rd: Kevin Peachey and Weston Brown Men’s Strong Pull July 8 1st: Devin Nolt, 7.09 seconds 2nd: Armon Nelson, 7.90 seconds 3rd: Jason Wiese, 7.95 seconds July 9 1st: Devin Nolt, 6.47 seconds 2nd: Dave Schlabach, 7.29 seconds 3rd: Eli (Peanut) Weaver, 7.62 seconds Strap Winding July 8 1st: Eli (Peanut) Weaver 2nd: Pattie Klassen 3rd: Kenny Graber July 9 1st: Brandon Williams 2nd: Jason Wiese 3rd: Eli (Peanut) Weaver July 10 1st: Steve Brubaker 2nd: Leon Hochstetler 3rd: Jeremiah Wenger Tire Roll July 8 1st: Leon Hochstetler 2nd: Devin Nolt 3rd: Pattie Klassen July 9 1st: Jeremiah Wenger 2nd: Devin Nolt 3rd: Rocky Klassen July 10 1st: Michael Wallace 2nd: Kendell Weaver 3rd: Shawn Swanson Water Balloon Toss July 8 1st: Kendall Nolt and Chad Miller 2nd: Eli (Peanut) Weaver and Leon Hochstetler 3rd: Joey Erb and Dave Schlabachc July 9 1st: Darren Nolt and Steve Brubaker 2nd: Armon Nelson and Dave Schlabach 3rd: Devin Nolt and Jeremiah Wenger July 10 1st: Darren Nolt and Steve Brubaker 2nd: Eryc Constantines and Peter (no last name provided) 3rd: Kevin Peachey and Weston Brown Tire Flip (July 10) 1st: Leon Hochstetler, 3.21 seconds 2nd: Jeremiah Wenger, 3.31 seconds 3rd: Devin Nolt, 3.31 seconds Women’s Strong Pull July 8 1st: Pattie Klassen, 9.69 seconds 2nd: Andrea Petty, 11.19 seconds 3rd: Angela Nlemann, 12.16 seconds July 9 1st: Bobbie Kammes, 9.5 seconds 2nd: Pattie Klassen, 9.91 seconds SUPER TRUCK BEAUTY CONTEST Always a popular attraction during the Jamboree, this year’s Super Truck Beauty Contest had 87 registered entrants. Categories and winners were: WT Cabover 1st: Austin Jaeger, Worthington, Iowa – 1980 Peterbilt 352 2nd: Randy Yearton, Monroe Center, Illinois – “Studebaker,” 1972 Terrybilt K100 3rd: Matt Schleuger, Wesley, Iowa – “Not Daddy’s Money,” 1993 Kenworth K100E WT Company Truck-Bobtail 1st: Dawson Taylor, Cameron, North Carolina – “Roll of the Dice,” 2020 Freightliner Cascadia 2nd: Travis Marker, Palestine, Texas – “Night Train,” 2019 Peterbilt 389 3rd: Daniel Huffman, Kalona, Iowa – 2021 Peterbilt 389 WT Company Truck-Combination 1st: Eva Knelsen, Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada – “Ken Worth Jr.,” 2021 Kenworth W900L and 2018 Wabash 2nd: Rex Neely, Pahrump, Nevada – 2022 Peterbilt 389 and 2003 Manac 3rd: Zach Pletcher, Elkhart, Indiana – “Simply Red,” 2015 Peterbilt 389 and 2015 MAC Rat Rod Winner: Danny Autullo, Monee, Illinois – 1948 Diamond T WT 2021-2018 Bobtail 1st: Aaron Walters, Pipestone, Minnesota – “Blue Moon,” 2019 Peterbilt 389 2nd: Brandon Graddick, Iowa City, Iowa – 2022 Peterbilt 389 3rd: Keaton Giza, Creston, Iowa – 2019 Peterbilt 389 WT 2010-2003 Bobtail 1st: Paul Saline, Rio, Illinois – “Satisfaction,” 2009 Kenworth W900L 2nd: James Weverka, Octavia, Nebraska – “Hercules,” 2005 Kenworth W900L 3rd: Karen Jack, Eustis, Nebraska – 2006 Peterbilt 379 Extended Hood WT 2002-1997 Bobtail 1st: Shawn Swanson, Prophetstown, Illinois – “Pure Attitude,” 2002 Kenworth W900B 2nd: Tim Bauman, New Paris, Indiana – 1999 Freightliner Classic 3rd: Blake and Leann Dannhaus, Dripping Springs, Texas – 2001 Peterbilt 379 WT 1996 and Older Bobtail 1st: JR Schleuger, Britt, Iowa – 1985 Kenworth K100 2nd: Marvin Hughes, New Boston, Illinois – “Drawer Dropper,” 1994 Peterbilt 379 3rd: Lavern Cross, Middlebury, Indiana – 1982 Kenworth W900A WT 2021-2016 Combination 1st: TJ and Scott Hansen, New Denmark, New Brunswick, Canada – “Optimus Prime,” 2021 Peterbilt 389 and 2021 Utility 2nd: Dylan McCrabb, Williamsburg, Iowa – 2022 Peterbilt 389 and 2022 Wilson 3rd: Andy Schwarz, Davenport, Iowa – 2019 Peterbilt 389 and 2021 Mac WT 2015-2007 Combination 1st: Michael and Jackie Wallace, Ashville, Alabama – “Semper Fi,” 2007 Freightliner Coronado and 2014 Great Dane 2nd: Mary Peterson Norton, Knapp, Wisconsin – “Jordy,” 2014 Kenworth T660 and 2009 Great Dane 3rd: Timothy Olden, N. Chesterfield, Virginia – “Red Rocket,” 2012 Peterbilt 386 and 2018 Great Dane WT 2006 and Older Combination 1st: Marcel Pontbriand, Pahrump, Nevada – “Cowboy of the Road,” 1989 Peterbilt 379 and 2015 Great Dane 2nd: Daniel and Phyllis Snow, Harrison, Arkansas – “The Goose,” 1996 Freightliner Classic XL and 2019 Utility 3rd: Gary Jones Jr., Lawson, Missouri – “Excessive Behavior II,” 1999 Peterbilt 379 and 2019 Globe Show Class 1st: Don Wood, Denmark, Wisconsin – “High Maintenance,” 2003 Peterbilt 379 and 2021 Mac 2nd: Ron Brubaker, Sigourney, Iowa – “One of a Kind,” 1993 Peterbilt 379 3rd: Brett Wright, Sigourney, Iowa – “Mostly for the Money,” 2020 Peterbilt 389 Custom Paint-Bobtail 1st: Ron Deardurff, Wyoming, Michigan – 1979 Kenworth W900 2nd: Brett Wright, Sigourney, Iowa – “Mostly for the Money,” 2020 Peterbilt 389 3rd: JR Schleuger, Britt, Iowa – 1985 Kenworth K100 Custom Paint-TT Combination 1st: Dave Schroyer, Celina, Ohio – 2013 Peterbilt 389 and 2013 Landoll 2nd: Andy Schwarz, Davenport, Iowa – 2019 Peterbilt 389 and 2021 Mac 3rd: Gary Jones Jr., Lawson, Missouri – “Excessive Behavior II,” 1999 Peterbilt 379 and 2020 XL Specialized Custom Graphics-Bobtail 1st: Paul Saline, Rio, Illinois – “Satisfaction,” 2009 Kenworth W900L 2nd: Shawn Swanson, Prophetstown, Illinois – “Pure Attitude,” 2002 Kenworth W900B 3rd: Dawson Taylor, Cameron, North Carolina – “Roll of the Dice,” 2020 Freightliner Cascadia Custom Graphics-TT Combination 1st: Rex Neely, Pahrump, Nevada – 2022 Peterbilt 389 and 2003 Manac 2nd: Daniel and Phyllis Snow, Harrison, Arkansas – “The Goose,” 1996 Freightliner Classic XL and 2019 Utility 3rd: Michael VanNess, Georgetown, Illinois – “Nancy Mae,” 2018 Peterbilt 567 and 2021 Walker Polish & Detail-Bobtail 1st: Shawn Swanson, Prophetstown, Illinois – “Pure Attitude,” 2002 Kenworth W900B 2nd: Keaton Giza, Creston, Iowa – 2019 Peterbilt 389 3rd: Ron Brubaker, Sigourney, Iowa – “One of a Kind,” 1993 Peterbilt 379 Polish & Detail-TT Combination 1st: Don Wood, Denmark, Wisconsin – “High Maintenance,” 2003 Peterbilt 379 and 2021 Mac 2nd: Jay Hawthorne, Grand Mound, Iowa – “Dirty Business,” 2018 Peterbilt 389 and 2017 Reitnouer 3rd: Andy Schwarz, Davenport, Iowa – 2019 Peterbilt 389 and 2021 Mac Interior-OEM Sleeper-Bobtail 1st: Dawson Taylor, Cameron, North Carolina – “Roll of the Dice,” 2020 Freightliner Cascadia 2nd: Shawn Swanson, Prophetstown, Illinois – “Pure Attitude,” 2002 Kenworth W900B 3rd: Paul Saline, Rio, Illinois – “Satisfaction,” 2009 Kenworth W900L Interior-OEM Sleeper-Combination 1st: Terry and Kasey Aslinger, Marquand, Missouri – “Zippy,” 1996 Peterbilt 379 and 2020 Sun Country 2nd: Rob Hallahan, LaCrosse, Wisconsin – “Jokes on You,” 2022 Peterbilt 389 and 2022 Great Dane 3rd: Dylan McCrabb, Williamsburg, Iowa – 2022 Peterbilt 389 and 2022 Wilson Interior-OEM Conversion Sleeper 1st: Andy Schwarz, Davenport, Iowa – 2019 Peterbilt 389 and 2021 Mac 2nd: Jay Hawthorne, Grand Mound, Iowa – “Dirty Business,” 2018 Peterbilt 389 and 2017 Reitnouer 3rd: Don Wood, Denmark, Wisconsin – “High Maintenance,” 2003 Peterbilt 379 and 2021 Mac Interior-Custom Sleeper 1st: Daniel and Phyllis Snow, Harrison, Arkansas – “The Goose,” 1996 Freightliner Classic XL and 2019 Utility 2nd: Michael and Jackie Wallace, Ashville, Alabama – “Semper Fi,” 2007 Freightliner Coronado and 2014 Great Dane 3rd: Lavern Cross, Middlebury, Indiana – 1982 Kenworth W900A Lights at Night-Bobtail-Road Legal 1st: Keaton Giza, Creston, Iowa – 2019 Peterbilt 389 2nd: Shaun Miller, Palm Bay, Florida – 2022 Peterbilt 389 3rd: Daniel Huffman, Kalona, Iowa – 2021 Peterbilt 389 Lights at Night-Bobtail-Show Only Winner: Aaron Walters, Pipestone, Minnesota – “Blue Moon,” a 2019 Peterbilt 389 Lights at Night-TT Combination-Road Legal 1st: Darren Nolt, Ephrata, Pennsylvania – “Rooster Cruiser,” a 1984 Peterbilt 359 and 2018 Great Dane 2nd: Kendall Nolt, Ephrata, Pennsylvania – 1987 Peterbilt 359 and 2020 Great Dane 3rd: Dennis Durand, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada – 2017 Kenworth W900 and 2016 Tremcar Lights at Night-TT Combination-Show Only 1st: Don Wood, Denmark, Wisconsin – “High Maintenance,” 2003 Peterbilt 379 and 2021 Mac 2nd: Marcel Pontbriand, Pahrump, Nevada – “Cowboy of the Road,” 1989 Peterbilt 379 and 2015 Great Dane 3rd: Daniel and Phyllis Snow, Harrison, Arkansas – “The Goose,” 1996 Freightliner Classic XL and 2019 Utility Lights at Night-Specialty Winner: Danny Autullo, Monee, Illinois – “Lawless,” 1993 Peterbilt Ratrod Best Overall Theme Winner: Marcel Pontbriand, Pahrump, Nevada – “Cowboy of the Road,” 1989 Peterbilt 379 and 2015 Great Dane Truckers’ Choice Winner: Marcel Pontbriand, Pahrump, Nevada – “Cowboy of the Road,” 1989 Peterbilt 379 and 2015 Great Dane