Every year, thousands of truckers and trucking enthusiasts gather in Walcott, Iowa, to celebrate their passion for the open road and the vital role they play in America’s economy. The 44th annual Walcott Truckers Jamboree, held at the renowned Iowa 80 Truckstop from July 13th to 15th, proved to be another resounding success, drawing more than 46,000 attendees from nearly 30 states and two Canadian provinces. Fondly known as “The World’s Largest Truckstop,” the event has become a beloved tradition for all those who have a deep appreciation for the trucking community.
Heather DeBaillie, vice president of marketing for the Iowa 80 Group, expressed her enthusiasm for the Jamboree, stating, “The Walcott Truckers Jamboree celebrates professional drivers and the important work they do for America. We love seeing everyone come together, make new friends and join in the fun. The trucking community is amazing, and we want to say ‘thank you’ for making the Walcott Truckers Jamboree possible for everyone to enjoy.”
The three-day extravaganza featured an impressive array of activities and entertainment. Over 150 exhibits allowed visitors to explore various aspects of the trucking industry. Attendees were treated to the mouthwatering Iowa Pork Chop Cookout and enjoyed live concerts and breathtaking fireworks displays. One of the highlights was a special celebration of the 100th birthday of the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum’s 1923 Mack AB, providing attendees with a historical perspective on the evolution of trucking.
The Jamboree also offered a feast for the eyes with its antique truck display, showcasing more than 100 vintage vehicles. The Super Truck Beauty Contest, a much-anticipated event, saw 108 rigs vying for top honors. One standout entry was Zach Strayer of Spencerville, Ohio, who walked away with the coveted Trucker’s Choice award for his impressive 2023 Peterbilt and 2023 Wilson cattle trailer, affectionately known as “Notorious P.I.G.”
The contest had various categories, and numerous drivers showcased their incredible trucks. Dennis Sikorski of Bancroft, Wisconsin, impressed the judges with “Old School and Flat Broke,” a 1995 Peterbilt 362 Cabover, securing the top spot in the Working Truck/Cabover category. Seth Dalberg of Clifton, Colorado, took the first place in the Working Truck/Company Truck-Bobtail category with his sleek “Spare Change,” a 2022 Kenworth W990.
Luke Oligschlaeger of Meta, Missouri, was recognized for his impressive 2020 Kenworth W900 & 2020 Great Dane trailer, earning him first place in the Working Truck/Company Truck-Combination category. The Trucker’s Best Friend pet contest added a heartwarming touch to the event, showcasing the beloved animal companions that accompany truckers on their journeys.
The Walcott Truckers Jamboree provided an opportunity for camaraderie and recognition within the trucking community. The event’s success reflects the passion and dedication of everyone involved, from the drivers and vendors to the staff who worked tirelessly to organize the festivities. As Delia Moon Meier, senior vice president of the Iowa 80 Group, aptly stated, “We hope when people come to the Iowa 80 Truckstop and experience the Walcott Truckers Jamboree, they feel at home. We hope they leave thinking they’ve experienced something pretty neat and that they join us again next year.”
1st – Dennis Sikorski, Bancroft, WI – 1995 Peterbilt 362 Cabover – Old School and Flat Broke
2nd – Matt Schleuger, Wesley, IA – 1993 Kenworth K100E – Not Daddy’s Money
3rd – David Brewster, Maquoketa, IA – 1989 Kenworth K100 – Family Tradition
1st – Seth Dalberg, Clifton, CO – 2022 Kenworth W990 – Spare Change
2nd – Eva Knelsen, Mount Elgin, ON – 2021 Kenworth W900L – Ken Worth, Jr.
3rd – Dawson and Bobbie Taylor, Cameron, NC – 2020 Freightliner Cascadia – Roll of the Dice
1st – Luke Oligschlaeger, Meta, MO – 2020 Kenworth W900 & 2020 Great Dane trailer
2nd – Andrew Worth, Winnipeg, MB – 2021 Peterbilt 389 & 2010 Brenner tanker trailer
3rd – Don Hummer Trucking, Cedar Rapids, IA – 2023 Kenworth W990 & 2016 Utility Van trailer
WINNER – Andrew Utley, Davenport, IA – 2018 Peterbilt 567
WINNER – Tim Feidt, Maplewood, MN – 1980 Mack Army Truck
1st – Duane Peden, Taylorville, IL – 2022 Peterbilt 389
2nd – James Nalin, Tucson, AZ – 2022 Freightliner Cascadia – American Patriot
3rd – Brian Collman, Taylorville, IL – 2023 Peterbilt 389
1st – Duane Hostetler, Wooster, OH – 2015 Peterbilt – Foxy Roxy
2nd – Vladimir Vitosetic, Harwood Heights, IL – 2014 Volvo D13 – White Falcon
3rd – Jesse Wellmeier, Davenport, IA – 2013 Mack Pinnacle – HDV-33
1st – Fritz Littlefield, Forest Lake, MN – 2006 Peterbilt – Never Done
2nd – Matt Kunkle, Linton, ND – 2007 Peterbilt – Cowboy Cadillac
3rd – Rick Kaiser, Taylorville, IL – 2005 Peterbilt
1st – Mel Williams, Richfield, MN – 2003 Peterbilt 379
2nd – Mike Schlabach, Apple Creek, OH – 2000 Peterbilt – Joliet
3rd – Nate Heiderscheit, Peosta, IA – 2003 Peterbilt 379
1st – Ron Brubaker, Sigourney, IA – 1993 Peterbilt 379 – One of a Kind
2nd – Raiko Graveran, Orlando, FL – 1995 Freightliner FLD-120 – Little Blue
3rd – Blake Copeland, Taylorville, IL – 1985 Peterbilt 359
1st – Brian Pete, Mineral Point, WI – 2019 Peterbilt 389 & 2022 Mac trailer
2nd – Robert Hallahan, LaCrosse, WI – 2022 Peterbilt 389 & 2015 Great Dane trailer – Jokes On You
3rd – Douglas Prier, Dyersville, IA – 2022 Kenworth W900L & 2022 Wilson Flatbed – The Green Lantern
1st – Jonathan Yohn, Reeseville, WI – 2013 Peterbilt & 2019 Great Dane trailer
2nd – Jeremy Heiderscheit, Peosta, IA – 2016 Peterbilt & 2023 Trail King flatbed trailer
3rd – Grant Hicks, Prairie City, IA – 2016 Peterbilt & 2023 Tempte Hopper trailer
1st – Marcel Pontbriand, Pahrump, NV – 1989 Peterbilt and 2015 Great Dane Van trailer – Cowboy of the Road
2nd – Michael & Jackie Wallace, Ashville, AL – 2007 Freightliner and 2014 Great Dane trailer – Semper Fi
3rd – Matthew Middleton, Pahrump, NV – 2002 Peterbilt and 2009 Utility Van trailer
1st – Daniel & Phyllis Snow, Harrison, AR – 1996 Freightliner and 2006 Utility van trailer – The Goose
2nd – John Jaikes, Nanticoke, PA – 1999 Kenworth and 2006 Utility Reefer – Only Class
3rd – Jay VanKampen, Poquosen, VA – 1976 Kenworth and 2023 Wabash trailer – Spirit of Wooden Shoes
1st – Brian Pete, Mineral Point, WI – 2019 Peterbilt
2nd – Kate Whiting, Chetek, WI – 1973 Kenworth – Cherry Pie
3rd – Dan Brubaker, Sigourney, IA – 1996 Peterbilt – Low Life
1st – Dan Brubaker, Sigourney, IA – 1996 Peterbilt – Low Life
2nd – Kate Whiting, Chetek, WI – 1973 Kenworth – Cherry Pie
3rd – Aaron Copeland, Taylorville, IL – 1981 Kenworth
1st – Brian Pete, Mineral Point, WI – 2019 Peterbilt and 2022 Mac trailer
2nd – Zach Strayer, Spencerville, OH – 2023 Peterbilt and 2023 Wilson Cattle trailer – Notorious P.I.G
3rd – Robert Hallahan, LaCrosse, WI – 2022 Peterbilt 389 & 2015 Great Dane trailer – Jokes On You
1st – Dawson and Bobbie Taylor, Cameron, NC – 2020 Freightliner Cascadia – Roll of the Dice
2nd – Shelle Lichti, Theodore, AL – 2023 Freightliner – The Rainbow Rider
3rd – Eva Knelsen, Mount Elgin, OH – 2021 Kenworth W900L – Ken Worth, Jr.
1st – Dylan Mercier, St. Anne, IL – 2005 Mack & 2022 Wilson Hopper trailer – Our Fallen Heroes
2nd – Troy Baumgartner, Rowan, IA – 2018 Peterbilt and 2023 Mac Conestoga trailer – Aurora
3rd – Andrew Worth, Winnipeg, MB – 2021 Peterbilt & 2010 Brenner tanker trailer
1st – Dan Brubaker, Sigourney, IA – 1996 Peterbilt 379 – Low Life
2nd – Kate Whiting, Chetek, WI – 1973 Kenworth W900A – Cherry Pie
3rd – Raiko Graveran, Orlando, FL – 1995 Freightliner – Little Blue
1st – Zach Strayer, Spencerville, OH – 2023 Peterbilt and 2023 Wilson Cattle trailer – Notorious P.I.G
2nd – Jonathan Yohn, Reeseville, WI – 2013 Peterbilt & 2019 Great Dane trailer
3rd – Robert Hallahan, LaCrosse, WI – 2022 Peterbilt 389 & 2015 Great Dane trailer – Jokes On You
1st – Dawson and Bobbie Taylor, Cameron, NC – 2020 Freightliner – Roll of the Dice
2nd – Jeff Hoker, Dixon, IA – 2023 Peterbilt – Worth the Wait
3rd – Brian Pete, Mineral Point, WI – 2023 Peterbilt – Gas Money
1st – Zach Strayer, Spencerville, OH – 2023 Peterbilt and 2023 Wilson Cattle trailer – Notorious P.I.G
2nd – Robert Hallahan, LaCrosse, WI – 2022 Peterbilt 389 & 2015 Great Dane trailer – Jokes On You
3rd – Brian Pete, Mineral Point,
1st – Ron Brubaker, Sigourney, IA – 1993 Peterbilt One of a Kind
2nd – John Jaikes, Nanticoke, PA – 1999 Kenworth & 2006 Utility Reefer trailer – Only Class
3rd – Maurice Zurliene, New Baden, IL – 1982 Ford LTL9000 Old Art
1st – Daniel and Phyllis Snow, Harrison, AR – 1996 Freightliner and 2006 Utility van trailer – The Goose
2nd – Marcel Pontbriand, Pahrump, NV – 1989 Peterbilt and 2015 Great Dane Van trailer – Cowboy of the Road
3rd – Michael and Jackie Wallace, Ashville, AL – 2007 Freightliner and 2014 Great Dane trailer – Semper Fi
1st – Fritz Littlefield, Forest Lake, MN – 2006 Peterbilt
2nd – Eva Knelsen, Mount Elgin, ON – 2021 Kenworth – Ken Worth, Jr.
3rd – James Nalin, Tucson, AZ – 2022 Freightliner – American Patriot
1st – Brian Pete, Mineral Point, WI – 2023 Peterbilt – Gas Money
2nd – Mark Lancaster, Ottumwa, IA – 1967 Peterbilt – Keepin’ It Teal
3rd – Duane Hostetler, Wooster, OH – 2015 Peterbilt – Foxy Roxy
1st – Aaron Copeland, Taylorville, IL – 1981 Kenworth
2nd – Raiko Graveran, Orlando, FL – 1995 Freightliner – Little Blue
3rd – Blake Copeland, Taylorville, IL – 1985 Peterbilt
1st – Zach Strayer, Spencerville, OH – 2023 Peterbilt and 2023 Wilson Cattle trailer – Notorious P.I.G
2nd – Douglas Prier, Dyersville, IA – 2022 Kenworth W900L & 2022 Wilson Flatbed – The Green Lantern
3rd – Michael and Jackie Wallace, Ashville, AL – 2007 Freightliner and 2014 Great Dane trailer – Semper Fi
1st – Robert Hallahan, LaCrosse, WI – 2022 Peterbilt 389 &2015 Great Dane trailer – Jokes On You
2nd – Daniel and Phyllis Snow, Harrison, AR – 1996 Freightliner and 2006 Utility van trailer – The Goose
3rd – Marcel Pontbriand, Pahrump, NV – 1989 Peterbilt and 2015 Great Dane Van trailer – Cowboy of the Road
1st – Zach Strayer, Spencerville, OH – 2023 Peterbilt and 2023 Wilson Cattle trailer – Notorious P.I.G
2nd – Brian Pete, Mineral Point, WI – 2019 Peterbilt and 2022 Mac trailer
3rd – John Jaikes, Nanticoke, PA – 1999 Kenworth & 2006 Utility Reefer trailer – Only Class
WINNER – Marcel Pontbriand, Pahrump, NV – 1989 Peterbilt 379 & 2015 Great Dane – Cowboy of the Road
WINNER – Zach Strayer, Spencerville, OH – 2023 Peterbilt and 2023 Wilson Cattle trailer – Notorious P.I.G
Looking to the future, trucking enthusiasts can eagerly mark their calendars for the 45th annual Walcott Truckers Jamboree, scheduled for July 11th to 13th, 2024. As an added milestone, the event will coincide with the 60th anniversary of the Iowa 80 Truckstop, promising an even grander celebration of the trucking industry’s enduring spirit and the dedicated individuals who keep America moving. Until then, the memories of the 44th edition will continue to inspire and unite the trucking community across the nation.
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