TORONTO, (July 18, 2005) — Drop off that last load, buff that chrome, and pick-up the wife and kids ’cause the summer truck show season is upon us.

Truckers across Canada have dozens of truck events and show ‘n shine competitions coming to a town near them over the next couple months. Here’s a few:

Ontario:

Jul 16: 1000 Islands Big Rig Show & Shine, Landsdowne Fairgrounds, Landsdowne, Ont. Contact: 613/659-2898.

Jul 16: 2005 Ontario Truck Driving Championships, North Bay, Ont. Professional truck drivers demonstrate their excellent skills in a rigorous driving test. Organized by the Transportation Health & Safety Association of Ontario. Contact: 416/242-4771.

Jul 22 – Jul 24: Fergus Truck Show, Fergus and District Community Centre, Fergus, Ont. One of the best trucking festivals in North America, the truck event offers a show and shine, truck pull, and fun for families. Contact: Sherri Clarke at 519/843-3412. www.fergustruckshow.com.

Aug 26 – Aug 28: Trucker’s Funfest 2005, Teeswater Fairgrounds, Teeswater, Ont. Contact: 519-392-6353.

Quebec:

Jul 28 – Jul 31:
Rodéo du Camion, Notre-Dame-du-Nord. The infamous Quebec truck rodeo and street festival is back for another year. Contact: 819-723-2712. www.elrodeo.com.

Aug 13: Quebec Provincial Driving Championships, Saint-Jerome, Que. La Belle Province’s best wheel folks face off. Sponsored by the Quebec Trucking Association.Contact: 800-361-5813. www.carrefour-acq.org.

Alberta:

Sep 3 – Sep 4: Alberta Big Rig Weekend, Race City Motorsport Park, Calgary. Contact: 403-331-8127.

Sep 23 – Sep 24: TRUXPO 2005, Northlands Agricom, Edmonton , Alta. The biggest truck show for Western Canada returns to Alberta this year. Sponsored by the Alberta Motor Transport Association. Contact: 1-800-267-1003. www.amta.ca

Atlantic Canada:

Sep 22 – Sep 24: National Professional Truck Driving Championships, Moncton Coliseum Complex, Moncton N.B. Participants are all 2004 provincial champions. Hosted by the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association, or call your local trucking association. Contact: 506-855-2782. www.apta.ca

US:

Jul 15 – Jul 17, Rumble By the River, Monroe, Mich. Sponsored by the National Association of Show Trucks. Contact: 941-639-3817. www.natshowtrucks.org.

Sep 16 – Sep 18: Richard Crane Memorial Truck Show, St. Ignace, MI. Truck-Lite Trophy Series Richard Crane Memorial Truck Show, presented by the National Association of Show Trucks. Contact: 941/639-3817