The Laid Back on I-55 truck show went off without a hitch.
The truck show took place August 19-20 on the Perry County Downtown Square and Event organizer Robynne Duvall couldn’t have been happier about the event.
“Except for the rain that came in late Saturday night which forced us to cancel the remainder of Ian Ferguson’s performance, the weather was amazing.” Duvall said.
The first year of the event, the show garnered 48 trucks and then went up to more than 70. Last year, the event brought in about 90 trucks. The 2022 version surpassed even that number.
“We had 133 registered trucks, which is up more than 20 from 2021,” Duvall said. “It’s wonderful to see this show continue to grow each year. Five years ago we started with around 50 trucks and have continued to grow each year
We had trucks come to downtown Perryville from all over Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky and even Texas.”
As usual, proceeds from this year’s event, co-sponsored by the Downtown Revitalization Committee, will benefit the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis in honor of Abigail Hotop.
“Last year, Abigail was able to throw the first pitch out at a Cardinals game because of the donation made from our truck show. Watching her energy and excitement on the field, makes all the organization and work for this show worth it,” Duvall said.
The best crowd came on Friday, according to Duvall.
The crowd Friday night was absolutely amazing!! So many spectators came out to see these beautiful trucks all lit up as well as listen to Sons of Bocephus, a Hank Williams Jr tribute band out of Texas,” she said. “It was great to see so many families! I saw many children with huge smiles while getting their pictures taken with their favorite trucks.”
Saturday’s event included a kiddie tractor pull beginning at 11 a.m. and a DJ provided music during the day. The awards ceremony was scheduled after the live auction that began at 3 p.m., followed by a convoy heading down Main Street, across Highway 51 to AC Highway past the Missouri National Veterans Memorial, then up Highway 51 back to the downtown square.
“I absolutely love being a part of the Laid Back on I-55 Truck Show. We have an amazing group of people organizing this event that draws truckers, their families and friends to downtown Perryville for the weekend,” Duvall said. “These truckers put a lot of time, energy and money into their trucks. Without truckers, our shelves would be empty. Literally, most everything in your home at one time or another was transported by a truck driver.”
Next year’s event is already scheduled and being planned.
“We’ve already started putting together ideas and plans for 2023 so mark your calendars for August 18 and 19,” Duvall said.
