Iowa 80 Truckstop in Walcott is the next stop for Marty Ellis and the OOIDA tour trailer. He’s heading to the Walcott Truckers Jamboree.

The Iowa 80 Truckstop — billing itself as the world’s largest truck stop — is located off Interstate 80 at Exit 284 in eastern Iowa, not far from the Mississippi River. Ellis and the Spirit of the American Trucker tour trailer is set to be here Thursday through Saturday, July 14-16.

He is not the only representative of OOIDA to plan to be there. Executive Vice President Lewie Push plans to attend, as does Trevor Williams, OOIDA fuel card coordinator.

The big celebration of truckers and trucking includes a Super Trucks Beauty Contest, Vintage Truck Show, Trucker Olympics and a Trucker’s Best Friend Pet Contest. Music and fireworks are scheduled for Thursday and Friday evenings. A 100th anniversary party for a 1921 International is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum at the truck stop. The Jamboree ends on Sunday.

The Walcott Truckers Jamboree started in 1979. At the time, there were a few exhibits, live music, food, and a small display of vintage trucks, and it only attracted a few hundred drivers. Organizers expect to attract 30,000 attendees this year.

A schedule of events for the 42nd Walcott Truckers Jamboree is available. More than 175 exhibitions are expected this year.

Admission and parking are free, and shuttles are provided from the parking lot.

Photos of Walcott during installation

Ellis sent in some photos during the show setup as the trucks were set up.

Find a good company

Ellis reports that part of the conversation surrounding the OOIDA tour trailer focused on an article that said that while some in the trucking industry have long lamented a shortage of drivers, there is now a surplus. of drivers.

“OK, we were short 80,000 drivers, supposedly, and now we have articles saying we have a surplus of drivers? How does this basically happen overnight?” Ellis said on Land Line Now last Friday from the TA Travel Center in Matthews, Mo.

Companies too often play with numbers, Ellis said, but drivers aren’t numbers. However, while most of us like to complain a little, he says, not all arriving drivers are unhappy with the company they drive for.

“Once in a while I get someone who comes over and they’re just happy with the company they work for, and I’m kinda excited to hear that too. Oh my God, here’s someone who really loves where he works, and he’s treated with respect, he’s not lied to, he drives him home when he says he’s going to drive him home,” Ellis said. “And so that gives you really kinda hope that there are companies here that some of the other companies could take notes on.”

Ellis said the best source of business information is talking to other drivers, not just one or two. And when talking to companies, ask to see the drivers’ payslips to see how many miles the drivers are getting and

Listen to the Land Line Now conversation

Stop when you see the Spirit

If you see the OOIDA tour trailer, stop by and say hello. Ellis looks forward to visiting you to learn about Association activities and current issues. There are copies of Land Line Magazine to pick up there. You can join or renew your membership for $10 off the regular price at The Spirit. Face masks are available at The Spirit for anyone with a commercial driver’s license.

Ellis regularly discusses what he sees on the road and hears from drivers on the Friday Land Line Now broadcasts.

After the Walcott Truckers Jamboree, Ellis and the OOIDA tour trailer are scheduled to stop July 18-20 at Clearwater, Minn., Petro, then Commercial Chaos for a Cure in Sanborn, Iowa on July 22-23 .

Here is the program of The Spirit. LL