LOUISVILLE, Ken. (Mar. 29, 2005) — North America’s largest truck show kicks off later this week, but visitors are already starting to gather in Louisville.

The 34th Annual Mid-America Trucking Show — which begins Thursday, March 31 and ends Saturday, April 2 in Louisville, Ken. — has several events planned even before the big show officially opens.

The show is arguably the biggest single draw in trucking, attracting everyone from truck driver wannabes to the top executives from commercial truck fleets, private fleets, the companies that manufacture trucks and all the products that keep them running.

The big show itself opens on Thursday at 1 p.m. (A VIP-only session begins at 10 a.m.). According to show management, more than 1,000 companies from the U.S. and 11 foreign countries are expected to participate. In total, the show will take more than one million square feet of exhibit space at the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky., with product innovations and introductions.

Among the show’s attractions will be the Expedite InfoCenter, Mid-America’s Recruitment Center, the Internet & Technology Center, Ol’ Blue USA Safety Center and for the fifth consecutive year, the Paul K. Young Memorial Truck Beauty Championship.

For the first time ever, Mid-America’s Big-Rig Build-Off will showcase six custom built trucks from across the U.S. and Canada in what is expected to become an annual event. Attendees will vote on their favourite truck with the winner to be crowned on Saturday, April 2. NASCAR’s Ken Schrader will make an appearance courtesy of OTR/ProTrucker Magazines, Freightliner will be presenting two more NASCAR greats, Kyle and Richard Petty, and The Midnight Trucking Radio Network will welcome Country Music Legend Patti Loveless.

In concert Friday, April 1, at 7:30 Kenworth will present Sawyer Brown with opening act Amy Dalley.

Off-site, the city of Louisville itself will be buzzing with excitement as the Louisville Cardinals have made it to the Final Four in the NCAA college basketball tournament — a sacred sporting competition around these parts.

2005 Mid-America Trucking Show hours will be: Thursday, March 31 VIP Session: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Show Hours: 1pm – 6pm.; Friday, April 1 Show Hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; and Saturday, April 2 Show Hours: 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.