Okay, guys, so I’ve been itching to tell y’all about my latest adventure. I’m a huge fan of pickup trucks, and this year, I decided to hit up some of the biggest truck shows in 2024. Let me tell you, it was a wild ride!
First off, I started planning way in advance. You gotta do that, you know? These things get packed. I knew I wanted to see the newest models, check out some custom builds, and maybe even find some cool parts for my own truck. So I did a little digging online, found out about a couple of big events.
The first one I marked on my calendar was the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, Kentucky. I read that it is the largest annual heavy-duty trucking industry event in the world! Everyone told me this was the granddaddy of them all, the biggest truck show in North America. I heard that they get almost 55,000 people coming through, and over 860 exhibitors. Can you believe that? I blocked out three days on my calendar for that one. Packed my bags, grabbed my camera, and hit the road.
When I got to MATS, man, it was overwhelming, in a good way! Trucks as far as the eye could see. Shiny new rigs, tricked-out show trucks, and everything in between. I walked around for hours, just taking it all in. I talked to some of the reps from the big manufacturers, checked out some awesome custom builds, and even got some ideas for my own truck. It is really cool! I spent a full three days there, and I still feel like I didn’t see everything. I took a ton of pictures, got some cool freebies, and even met a few folks who are into the same stuff as me. That’s always a bonus.
After MATS, I was on a roll. I heard about another event called the Carlisle Truck Nationals up in Pennsylvania. And they said the event would be held during August 11-13, sounded like a blast. So, I made the drive up there a few months later.
Carlisle was a different vibe, more of a relaxed, festival atmosphere. I saw a mix of classic trucks, lifted trucks, and some really unique custom jobs. This one guy had a truck that looked like it came straight out of a movie, it was insane! I even saw some racing, which was a nice change of pace. It was a good time, I hung out, met some more cool people, and enjoyed the whole scene.
My takeaways
- Plan ahead: These shows are popular, so book your travel and accommodations early.
- Wear comfortable shoes: You’re gonna be doing a lot of walking.
- Bring a camera: You’ll want to capture all the cool trucks you see.
- Talk to people: You’ll meet a lot of folks who share your passion for trucks.
Overall, hitting up these truck shows was an awesome experience. I got to see some amazing trucks, meet some great people, and get inspired for my own projects. If you’re into trucks, I highly recommend checking out one of these events. You won’t regret it! I’m already looking forward to next year’s shows. Maybe I’ll see some of y’all there!
