Truck show rolls into town

By Melissa Meehan
THE 2008 Alexandra Truck, Ute and Rod Show will be the 12th annual staging of the popular event.
Organisers are already promising it will be one of the biggest, if not the largest held to date.
Held on the Queen’s Birthday weekend the Alexandra Truck, Ute, and Rod Show is the perfect family day out.
The weekend will open on Saturday afternoon when most of the attractions roll into town.
On the Saturday afternoon there is the traditional ‘Rod Run’ from Alexandra out to Eildon and back with a barbecue for lunch.
A major Country Music Hoedown will feature four bands from 4.30pm until 9pm adjoining the racecourse.
An admission charge for the evening of $20 each and a family ticket costing $45 will be available.
The four bands will also be performing from the main stage in Grant Street again on Sunday from 10am.
Giant interstate rigs, timber trucks and contractor equipment, the pride and joy of many truckies, together with an incredible array of hot rods, utes and motorbikes will line up in Grant Street, Alexandra’s main street, for the judging on the Sunday.
A public auction will also be held on Sunday at 2.30pm, with a large range of transport related items for sale.
But the Sunday is just not about mobile gear.
There is a popular quilting exhibition held in the Masonic Hall at the top end of the main Grant Street.
There is also one of Victoria’s biggest Woodchop Competitions where the finest and fastest local and interstate axemen compete in a series of 10 competitions for excellent cash prize money.
And as the last event of the Victorian wood chopping season, the competitors are at peak fitness.
Chairman of the Alexandra Truck, Ute and Rod Show Committee Matt Ellis says that the event that last year attracted an estimated 12,000 visitors and the event is strongly supported by the local community and businesses.
“Thanks to our sponsors in particular we usually finish with a modest profit and we distribute funds to a number of local community and charity causes so it is truly something by the community for the community,” Matt Ellis added.
“Every one is invited to come along and enjoy their day with the great diversity of attractions in the Alexandra area.”
The Truck Ute and Rod Show website at www.alexandratruckshow.com.au is regularly updated with information on events, times and accommodation options.