While it was once the month that kids suffered from the back-to-school blues, in recent years August has become a time that Chippewa Valley youngsters look forward to: It’s when a rumbling, smoking, and honking armada of semi trucks rolls through town. The sixth annual Eau Claire Big Rig Truck & Tractor Show – held Aug. 14-16 at the Chippewa Valley Technical College parking lot – will feature scores of semi-trailer trucks, farm tractors, and plenty of other diesel-burning, high-horsepower machines on display for three days. There will be food vendors, live music, bouncy houses, face painting, plenty of exhibitors, a screening of the Disney flick Frozen at dusk Friday, and free semi rides Sunday. And back by popular demand is Alex Debogorski, star of the History Channel series Ice Road Truckers, who’ll meet fans and sign autographs all three days. For my money, however, all this takes back seat to the fabulous truck light parade from 8:30-10pm Saturday, during which the big rigs – lights blazing in the muggy August darkness – roar through town in a truck-mageddon of diesel fumes and cheering children. (Be sure to check out the map on the truck show’s website and stake out a good spot on the route early.) Of course, the three-day event isn’t just for kids by any means: It’s also a trade show for current and would-be truck drivers as well as trucking companies and related businesses. But even the most road-weary adult will feel like a kid again when the convoy of eighteen-wheelers rumble by in the twilight.

Eau Claire Big Rig Truck & Tractor Show • Friday-Sunday, Aug. 14-16 (see website for full schedule and hours) • Chippewa Valley Technical College parking lot, 617 W. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire • FREE • (715) 832-6666 • info@ectruckshow.com • ECTruckShow.com