The USA & Australian Country Car & Big Rig Truck Show is gearing up to be one of this summer’s Hootnanny Country Rock Festival highlights.

Up to 100 trucks and 400 cars will be on display at the three-day event.

Event organiser Noddy Watts says the car and truck show adds a spectacle to the event and is sure to draw in the crowds.

He says the event is a celebration of country culture inspired by cowboys, cowgirls, pick-up trucks, boots, hay bales, tight jeans, beer, and open spaces.

The event also features the Trinity Country Market with 200 stalls and an exhibition arena featuring freestyle MotoX, barrel racing, tractor pull, mower racing and monster truck demonstrations. Also included are free carnival rides.

The event will take place at the Thames Racecourse from 25-27 February 2022. The USA & Australian Country Car & Big Rig Truck Show kicks off on Saturday, 26 February. Special interest USA and Australian cars and any big rig truck (no trailers) can enter the show.

“Cars must arrive before 9am while trucks will assemble at a location in Kopu before 9am. They will then convoy into Thames, parade through the Main Street and finish at the racecourse by 9.30am,” Noddy says.

Public gates open at 10am, so all vehicles will be inside the venue and set up before the crowds enter.

“But the public get the added bonus of seeing the truck parade in Thames first,” Noddy adds.

Car and trucks can pre-enter only at hootnanny.co.nz. Public ticket sales can be bought from the website, and there will be a limited number of general admission tickets on sale in Thames from December.