Antique truck show returns to St. Lawrence County

TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

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MADRID — Whether for work or for play, trucking is in some people’s blood.

Members of the Northern New York and Ontario chapters of the Antique Truck Club of America returned to the United States for the ninth annual Francis E. Welsh Border Show, held from Friday to Sunday.

The show alternates between Ontario and St. Lawrence County from year to year. This year, it was held at the St. Lawrence Power & Equipment Museum in Madrid for the first time. Previously, American shows were held in Massena.

The new location provided more space for the show and more room for campers and RVs.

Truck enthusiasts came from as far away as Binghamton to participate in the show. Over 55 trucks were shown at the event.

Small antiques from automobile’s earliest days were displayed alongside full-sized tractor-trailers.

“It’s a lot of fun to get your toys out to play,” said Michael C. Caskinette, president of the Northern Empire State chapter of the Antique Truck Club of America.

One of the highlights of the event was a bright red Ford Model AA fire truck that was purchased by the Waddington Fire Department in 1928 and kept in good condition ever since.

For many people, trucks are both a hobby and a source of employment.

“I grew up with trucks,” said Daniel W. Van Winkle, Massena, who used to drive for a living.

Now Mr. Van Winkle shows off his antique tractor-trailers as a hobby. “I don’t drive anymore, so it satisfies an itch,” he said.

Many of the club’s members also brought their trucks to the national meeting in Pennsylvania earlier this summer, where over 600 trucks were on display.

Charles E. Tackaberry, one of the sons in Tackaberry and Sons Construction, Athens, Ontario, and his family have a fleet of 110 antique trucks fully restored, with many others in various stages of repair. Several of their trucks were on display during the show.

“It’s interesting,” Mr. Tackaberry said. “You meet some nice people, and it’s fun.”