Presented by Classic Brands
It was easy to see the inaugural Kenworth Truck Parade was a hit.
The echo of air horns appealing to young kids motioning to drivers along the parade route as nearly every smartphone snapped images and the waves from spectators young and old… yes, the thrill of seeing a product assembled in Ohio’s First Capital rolling on its streets was a welcome sight.
Truck drivers from 28 different states and Canada were in Chillicothe to showcase their trucks Saturday evening.
The parade was originally to be held in 2019, but plans were derailed by the pandemic. As noted by Mayor Luke Feeney as he addressed the crowd lined along Water Street. “We’ve been talking about this truck parade for a few years now” Feeney told the spectators before the parade. “We dialed in the perfect weather for the evening… I just want to thank everybody who spent so much time and energy into this perfect night.”
Following a week of heat indices of 110 degrees, the break in the weather was picture perfect to start the evening with temperatures in the low 70s.
“The fifty truck drivers who came for this event, wanted to give a special thank you to the City of Chillicothe for allowing us to hold this event” said Kenworth Chillicothe Plant Manager Doug VanZuiden. “Not every city is as welcoming to truck drivers and trucks as Chillicothe is and they just wanted to say a special thank you.”
Kenworth celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2023. The next parade will be met with great anticipation.
