GRAND BEND, Ont. –With a new date and a new name, the Grand Bend Big Rig Truck Show promises to be bigger and better than ever, according to Sherry Clarke, coordinator of what used to be the Earl Hardy Trucking Big Rig Nationals.

This year’s show will be held at Grand Bend Motorplex Aug. 28-29. Friday, Aug. 27 will be a set-up day for show’n’shine, wash-and-park and trade show participants.

Show’n’shine contestants will compete for best truck and runner-up honours in more than 20 classes, Clarke announced. The wash-and-park is an opportunity for truckers to display their rigs without officially entering the show’n’shine. There will be three sizes of outdoor trade show spaces, Clarke said. As always, the event will be highlighted by non-stop racing on the quarter-mile drag strip. The big rigs will own the spotlight on Sunday, with big rig racing beginning at 11 a.m.

Clarke said the first heavy truck drag races in Ontario were held at Grand Bend Motorplex. Clarke, founder of the Fergus Truck Show, brings years of experience organizing truck shows to the table. She’ll be coordinating the trade show, show’n’shine and wash-and-park. She can be reached at 519-238-7223, ext. 24, 519-843-8333 or by e-mail at truck.event@gmail.com.