Don’t miss the Owls Head Transportation Museum’s annual Truck, Tractor and Commercial Vehicle Meet July 18 and 19

Owls Head, Maine - Antique truck, tractor and commercial vehicle enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Owls Head Transportation Museum’s annual Truck, Tractor and Commercial Vehicle Meet on Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19. During this highly anticipated weekend Owls Head is transformed into the center of the universe for antique truck and tractor enthusiasts. Also featured at this exciting two-day event will be commercial and military vehicles, as well as vintage earth-moving construction equipment. This event is sponsored by Cushing Diesel, The Pine Tree Chapter of the American Truck Historical Society and Freightliner of Maine.

This impressive display of trucks, tractors and commercial vehicles of all kinds is complemented by
an antique aeroplane show (weather permitting).

Show hours are 9:00 am until 3:00 pm on both Saturday and Sunday. The Owls Head Transportation Museum will observe standard closing time, remaining open until 5:00 pm both days. Owners of all pre-1995 vehicles (not just trucks!) are also welcome to exhibit at this and all other Museum (non-auction) events at no charge.

Vintage commercial vehicles and trucks from marques including Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge, Mack, International, Kenworth, Peterbilt, Autocar, Diamond T and more will be represented at the truck meet. A diverse showing will include examples ranging from local delivery trucks and construction vehicles, to pickups and fire engines. Both restored and original trucks will be displayed.

Antique tractors from classic manufacturers including John Deere, Farmall, Oliver and Case will be showcased at this exciting weekend-long event. As is tradition with the Truck, Tractor and Commercial Vehicle Meet, an antique tractor parade will take place on Museum grounds during both days of the show.

Hundreds of antique trucks and tractors from all over New England and beyond are expected for the event, including friends from the local Pine Tree Chapter of the American Truck Historical Society along with members of both the Granite State and Green Mountain Chapters. Anyone with a pre-1995 truck or tractor is encouraged to exhibit.

In keeping with truck show tradition visitors will have an opportunity to enjoy live music at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 18. Rose and the Wayfaring Strangers, a favorite local band, will be performing on Runway 17.

In addition to an assortment of classic trucks, tractors, military equipment and commercial vehicles, an array of family activities will include vehicle demonstrations, big rig blind spot demonstrations by the Maine Professional Drivers Association, children’s educational activities, our popular pedal car “kiddie corral,” free Model T rides and (weather permitting) antique aeroplane demonstrations. Remember, we fly early, so try to get to the Museum in the morning to see our planes in action.

In conjunction with Hagerty, the Museum will offer the Hagerty Youth Judging program on Saturday, July 18 and Sunday 19. This program will allows youth to score vehicles based on a set of criteria provided by Hagerty. This exciting and fun educational activity is free, however enrollment is limited to 12 youth each day of the event and signups will be offered on a first come, first served basis on the day of the show. Judging will begin at 11:00 a.m.

Antique aeroplane demonstrations will commence weather permitting and planes planned for demonstration may include our 1933 Waco UBF-2, our 1917 SPAD, our 1918 Standard J-1 and our beloved 1923 Fokker C.IVa. Open flightline is scheduled on each afternoon during the show and provides an opportunity for visitors to see, hear and experience the planes close up and visit with our pilots.

We fly early so plan to visit in the morning to see the antique aeroplane show.
Ground Vehicle Conservator Warren Kincaid said a number of museum collection vehicles will be demonstrated and may include our 1932 Ford Cragar Racer, 1886 Benz replica,  1910 Buick Truck and 1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost.

Tickets to the 2015 Barnstormers Ball fundraising gala on Saturday, September 12 are now on sale! Guests will dance the night away while enjoying bespoke cocktails, beer by Gritty McDuffs and hors d’oeuvres by Swan’s Way. This ritzy affair is set to the backdrop of our dazzling collection of WWI era aircraft and ground vehicles. Specialty raffles and the live  auction of a CedarWorks play set. Music by Wavelength ensures that this evening will be an opportunity to dance! The winner of a 1960 MGA 1600 Mk I Roadster will be drawn. Tables may be reserved in advance.

Tickets are available online and at the museum for both the Barnstormers Ball and MGA raffle, they are $100 each. A limited number will be sold. Proceeds benefit Museum education programs.
Vehicles will be exhibited on the Museum’s Runway 17, and the Museum will be open so that visitors can tour the collection and exhibits, including our award-winning exhibition Faster: The Quest for Speed which highlights the rich history of motor vehicle racing in New England and beyond. Highlights of the exhibition include a Michael Schumacher driven Ferrari F2002 Formula 1 car and the world’s second-oldest Duesenberg, a 1915 “Benedict Special” racer.

Admission is $16, and, as always, children under 18 and retired and active duty military personnel are admitted to the Museum and show free of charge with a Uniformed Services ID. Refreshments catered by French & Brawn Catering and Market Place will be available for purchase at the Caboose during both days of the show. No pets are allowed in the Museum or on show grounds.

The museum is grateful to our season sponsors: French & Brawn Catering and Marketplace, WMTW Channel 8, Tradewinds Motor Inn, Marshall Tent & Event Rentals, Camden National Bank, Breakwater Vineyard, Columbia Classic Cars, Thomaston Place Auction Galleries, Rockland Ford, Fiore Olive Oil and Journey’s End Marina.

The Owls Head Transportation Museum is located at 117 Museum Street in Owls Head, Maine. The Museum is open seven days a week, year round. For more information please contact Owls Head Transportation Museum Public Relations Director Jenna Lookner at (207) 594-4418.