Country music stars headline Woodstock Truck Show for Special Olympics Saturday
Special Olympian Chris Klein-Geltink knows exactly which truck he wants to be rewarded at the Woodstock Truck Show.
“This one, the number 22,” says Geltink, leaning against the rig.
In fact, he’s the main reason the event exists.
“It was Chris himself who asked me to do the ride for Special Olympics out of Paris,” says Scott Verbruggen, the founder of the event.
“I went to the show with a few hundred dollars to donate and I saw the support they're getting from other people and I want to do more.”
The event began in 2014, but after a break due to the pandemic, they are back, with Verbruggen bringing in close to 70 big rigs, and four country music acts. Performers include headliner Eric Ethridge, and Londoner Aaron Allen.
“First of all, it's for Special Olympics,” says Allen, when speaking about why he agreed to play the show at the Fairgrounds Saturday.
“Of course I'm gonna be here and I've heard great things about the truck show. We showed up today and just the massive amount of trucks and everything that's going on. It's going to be a great time. So happy to hit the stage again after two and a half years.”
The stage is set for the country music show featuring Eric Ethridge and Aaron Allen at the Woodstock Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 28, 2022. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)
With the money going to great causes like Special Olympics and Woodstock and District Developmental Services (WDDS), they’ve had plenty of volunteers and donations.
“I keep my costs to a minimum so I can really give more to this cause because every dollar I spend $1 Less I can give to the charity,” says Verbruggen.
Money that can help Klein-Geltink participate in all the sports he loves.
“I do Bowling, I used to do basketball, and floor hockey,” says Klein-Geltink.
Verbruggen says his goal for the show is to raise $30,000 for Special Olympics Ontario and WDDS. He also has big dreams for the growing show.
“My goal is fill this whole infield one day,” says Verbruggen.
Ethridge is the headline act performing at 9 p.m. Saturday, with tickets still available.
The Woodstock Truck Show is back after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. They have close to 70 transport trucks, and a country music concert in Woodstock, Ont. on Saturday, May 28, 2022. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it’s too late
She was lying in bed on a Thursday morning, thinking about the man she loved, hoping to win his freedom before time ran out.