The 8th Annual Laid Back on I-55 Truck Show celebrated its eighth year last weekend in downtown Perryville, drawing thousands of visitors and 128 trucks from here, there, and everywhere between.
The event combined chrome and community spirit to raise awareness and funds for the Down Syndrome Association from the live auction. A full accounting
“It was a great weekend, and everybody had a good time,” said Tiffany Hotop of the Laid Back on I-55 Committee. “It was really hot on Saturday, and that probably lowered our turnout a little this year, but we still had a big crowd the whole time.”
As in past years, Friday night’s Big Rig Light Show stole the spotlight.
“The lighted trucks were beautiful,” Hotop said. “It brought out the biggest crowd of the event, as it always does.”
Live music also helped set the tone, with Infringement performing Friday evening and Still Standing playing Saturday night. Excluding the Still Standing concert, the truck show ended Saturday afternoon with the live auction to determine the first, second, and third place line-up in the Convoy, which raised $9,300, followed by the convoy itself.
“There were around 50 trucks that took part in Saturday night’s convoy,” Hotop said. “It’s always something so special to see.”
According to Hotop, the final tally of money raised during the event will be announced at the end of September, when the check is presented to the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis.
Hotop credited the success of the show to the dedicated volunteers, sponsors and community support that fuel the event each year.
“Our committee is made up of six members. It was James Stegall’s dream to bring a truck show to Perryville. He is the mastermind behind the show,” she said. “Then there is Robynne, Jim and Tammy Mueller, Shaun Romann and me, Abigail’s mom. She is the one with Down Syndrome. We help James create the show, along with about 30 volunteers who stepped up to work all weekend.”
Hotop also praised the participating truckers, the city of Perryville and the local community for their ongoing role in making the event a success.
“The community has always been so supportive of the I-55 Truck Show,” she said. “We couldn’t do it without them, and we certainly couldn’t raise the funds we do without their generosity.”
Top Event Sponsors: AN Transport, Markley Trucking, Davis Bro Designs, William F. Braun Milk Hauling, Hull Trucking, The Larson Group, Don Heil Oil Co., Copeland Trucking, Kranawetter Transport, Huellinghoff Bros., Runge Transporting, Rollet Brother Trucking, Stegall’s Truck Shop, C.M. Brown & Associates, Inc., 4 State Trucks, Hogebuilt, Party Row Entertainment, Buchheit Logistics, 12 Ga. Customs, Wallis Transport, Larry Schmidt Truck Parts, Matt Fouts Trucking, JSH Trucking, MKC Hauling, ML Trucking, and Rushin’ Towing.
Partnership Sponsors: Morgan Trucking Enterprise, Dobson Trucking, Kohlfeld Distributing, A1 Glass, Cissell Transportation Co., Keith Hahn Trucking, Byron L. Lang Inc., Gebhardt Enterprises, I-55 Logistics, I-55 Chrome Shop, Fischer Quarry & Hauling, CIT Trucks, Midnite Shine, First State Community Bank of Perryville, and Al’s Place.
Corporate Sponsors: Romann Farms, Lakenan Insurance, HealthWise Pharmacy, 3H Equipment, MM&B Trucking, Lincoln Chrome, Aaron Hager Farms, RLK Services, TAG Truck Center (Jackson, Mo.), Jason Behrle Firewood & Mulch, and TG Missouri. Presenting Sponsors: Krauss Detailing, Vintage Automotive, DBL D’s Big Rig Wash, and Elmer Buchheit Construction Inc.
