Walcott Wrap-up
Mercer trucks on display at the 2009 Super Truck Beauty Contest at the walcott Truckers Jamboree, Walcott, Iowa.
On July 9-10, 2009, five beautiful mercer trucks joined up and entered their rigs in the annual Walcott Truckers Jamboree Super Truck beauty Contest. The Truckers Jamboree is hosted every year at the world's largest truck stop, Iowa 80, located in Walcott, Iowa. Aside from the truck show, the outdoor event includes an antique truck display, exhibits, live concerts, fireworks, games, and trucker Olympics among other things. Mercer attends the event each year to promote the company and show appreciation for our attending drivers.
The recent show featured more competing Mercer trucks than ever before. That weekend, attendees to the show walked by a row of four shiny Mercer trucks and another in the truck and trailer combo division. Located behind the row of trucks was a Mercer tent, where the contractors gathered, relaxed in the shade and greeted visitors with smiles on their faces. The following Mercer contractors participated in the show:
Darian Stephen's 1995 Freightliner (combo), "Keystone JR"
Tom and Debbie Berkel's 1995 Kenworth W900, "Mame"
Jack and Judy Tripp's 1995 Kenworth W900
Donna and Curtis O'Farrell's 1995 Kenworth, "Miss Maggie May" (May winner of Mercer's Showusyourtruck.com contest!)
Martin Clagett and Chris Lange's 1999 Peterbilt 379, "Colorado Cool" (September 2008 winner of Mercer's Showusyourtruck.com)
Every Mercer truck featured received a trophy for placing their truck in the show. The general attitude amongst the Mercer exhibitors was to relax and have fun, and represent Mercer. In addition, Stephens, the Berkels, Lange and Clagett took home additional trophies for their trucks.
Stephens' "Keystone JR" won 3rd place in the 2003-1995 Combination category, 1st place for custom paint and graphics on truck/trailer combo, 3rd place for custom sleeper interior, and 1st place for lights at night/combination. Stephens, a veteran to this truck show, plans to return to Walcott next year because he loves the laid-back atmosphere.
Tom and Debbie Berkel's truck, "Mame", won 2nd place in the interior/custom sleeper category. Debbie, who has meticulously decorated their beautiful Double Eagle sleeper, spent much of the show at the door of their truck, welcoming in judges and attendees. Debbie gushes, "We were not planning on winning, we were just thrilled to be there! Donna O'Farrel said, "You should have seen Debbie's face when they called their names. She just could not get over it!"
Martin Clagett and Chris Lange's truck, "Colorado Cool" also won 2nd place in the OEM Conversion Sleeper category. Clagett says, "It was so awesome ... so surprising. Chris was just in the zone when he heard our names called. He was just in total shock."
After the awards ceremony, the handful of Mercer contractors went back to their trucks for a cookout before getting back on the road. Debbie Berkel says, "After we got our trophy’s we all pitched in to make a great feast! It was really an example of the Mercer family at our best!"
All of the participating trucks said that they had a wonderful time at Walcott and would like to participate again next year. For Mercer contractors, it wasn't about winning, but about representing Mercer and having a good time. "People would walk by and think, Mercer must be a great company to have their drivers here having fun and representing their company," Berkel says. "We were just having a good time - That's the most important thing!"
Go here to check out the photo gallery of the event!