Fergus Truck Show raises over $45 Gs for charity

FERGUS, Ont. — About 25 community groups in the Fergus, Ont. region were recently given cheques totaling $45,986 by organizers of the Fergus Truck Show.

That brings the total the show has raised for local groups to over $645,000.

But raising money didn’t get off to a good start in 2008.

"As the planning started for the past show the economy was starting to show signs of weakness in the trucking industry it didn’t take long for past sponsors to start withdrawing their financial support for the show," says Fergus show COO Wayne Billings.

Pound for pound, the Fergus truck show is one
of the best industry events in the country

"Before long we were down $100,000.00 in sponsorship. A new planning strategy was put into place as we knew that to make up this huge loss."

One remedy was to put together a solid entertainment lineup. April Wine, Kim Mitchell and David Wilcox enticed record numbers of visitors.

This year’s attendance reached just over 72,000, up from last year.

There were 435 trucks entered in the Show and Shine and over 200 trade show vendors helped make the show a success. Today’s Trucking, highwaySTAR and Truck & Trailer magazines are all sponsors of the show.

The Fergus Truck Show is consistently voted one of the best 50 family shows in Ontario.

Plans are under way for the 24th annual show to be held July 23-26, 2009.