Another successful, fun and friendly Frank Mantle Memorial Truck Show has come and gone, the fourth to be specific.
The first show came about when, due to COVID-19 restrictions, Dad and I were unable to get to the national ATHS shows, which dad attended regularly, driving long distances to the far reaches of the U.S. every year.
Sadly, Dad became sick in 2021 and it was not likely he would make it to the next ATHS National show, so my brother, Stephen Mantle, and I decided to bring a Truck Show to him.
Thus was born the first Frank Mantle Annual Memorial Truck Show. Dad was thrilled. On short notice, July 17, 2021, we had approximately 35 trucks that first year.
Dad passed on August 22, 2021, just shy of his 95th birthday.
This year we hosted 78 trucks. The show has grown annually. Great Trucks and great people as always. The Frank Mantle Truck Show is held at the Keremeo Rodeo Grounds in Keremeos, British Columbia, Canada. Our venue includes a concession open all weekend with featured dinners as well as 脿 la carte rodeo food for breakfast and lunch. Featured dinners this year were perogy dinner on Friday night and about 150 rib dinners on Saturday night.
There was also a beer garden on site that serves beer, wine and coolers.
Keremeos Rodeo Grounds provides weekend camping in a beautiful grassy setting, including hot showers and bathrooms on-site.
Hence, truckers have the luxury of parking, relaxing, and visiting without having to turn a wheel until the end of the weekend.
This year we were fortunate enough to have live lunchtime entertainment in the beer garden donated to us by Jeremy Willis and his guitar.
On Saturday, July 27, we had a light up at 9:45 p.m., with one minute of horns at 10 p.m. in memory of Dad, Frank Mantle. It was very moving to say the least.
Trucks came from as far away as Quesnel and Williams Lake, British Columbia, Omak and Lynden Washington, Vancouver Island, the B.C. Lower Mainland and all
places in between.
The next show will be on July 25 to 27, 2025. Hope to see you there.
