Big rigs and antique trucks rumble into Cherokee October 16-18 for the 4th Annual Big Rigs and Antique Trucks Show, where truck enthusiasts of all types gather to show off their custom and original truck restorations, trade stories and ideas, compete for prizes and bragging rights and raise money for The Hope Chest for Women, which provides educational resources and limited financial assistance to women in Western North Carolina with breast or gynecologic cancer.
This family-friendly event takes place at the peak of the colorful fall leaf season on the Qualla Boundary at a new location this year, the old Cherokee High School at 1501 Acquoni Road. Last year, more than 2,200 spectators and participants took part in the event, and this year organizers expect more than 150 trucks will be on display. Models range from the antique to the working class, including pickup trucks, semis, dump trucks and more.
New this year is the Womanless Beauty Pageant on Oct. 17 at 6 p.m., when men turn heads dressed as women to benefit The Hope Chest for Women. The pageant will be followed by a truck show awards ceremony for Spectators’ Choice, Chief’s Choice, Exhibitors’ Choice and the truck traveling the farthest distance to attend.
Anyone with a real working or antique truck may register. Parts and swap-meet vendors and food displays will also be available at the show. For all trucks approved for display, the registrant and a guest will receive free admission. Gates will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m. to noon Sunday. General admission is $5. Children 12 and under will be admitted free of charge. For additional show information, contact Bill Ashe at (828) 421-9399.
The event is sponsored by the Western N.C. Truck Chapter of the American Truck Historical Society. Incorporated in 1971, the society is a nonprofit organization formed to preserve the history of trucks, the trucking industry and its pioneers. The ATHS is an international organization with more than 23,000 members in the United States, Canada, Australia and 20 other countries. For more information about ATHS, go to www.aths.org.
