by Jackie Klotz, secretary, Roadside Responders Association of Saskatchewan (RRAS) & Brad Stratychuk, president, RRA
Fantastic food, fine trucks, old friends, new friends, first-rate vendors, fabulous supporters, and an awards banquet to remember.
After two years of cancellations, the long-awaited RRAS Saskatoon Tow Show was held September 9–11, 2022. We had a fantastic weekend with good weather, lots of delicious food, participants and vendors, and a great time was had by all. New friends were made, and it was great to see and meet people that you have only heard about but never met.
The show’s intention was to provide a relaxed atmosphere for visitors without rollover demonstrations and driving competitions that might distract people from visiting the vendor booths. We did hold a very brief unlock competition with prizes supplied by Northern Strands and General Body. Although this did draw some of the crowd away from the show’s purpose, the entertainment value of the competition and the awards banquet was priceless.
On Thursday night we held a welcome reception that was very well attended by all who came early.
On Friday, some great looking trucks arrived for the beauty pageant, and our light show was amazing. We definitely lit up the night and had a great time visiting outside with everyone. Videos of the light show can be seen on our Facebook page for the RRAS. Prior to the light show, we held a barbeque with wonderful food provided by Commercial Truck Equipment Co. and prepared by the Saskatoon Inn.
Our participating vendors offered many great products, some awesome deals were made, and a truck or two was sold as well. Even the sponsorship provided by our vendors and the companies that could not make it was amazing, and we thank them very much for all that they contributed. We could not have done it without you!
Saturday was a day for looking at trucks, talking to fellow drivers and company owners, sharing ideas, and visiting vendors’ booths, while volunteers from the Antique Car Club judged the beauty contest. Along with another barbeque, provided by the Assistance Services Group (ASG), there was an opportunity to shop for tow show themed hoodies, shirts, and hats. The apparel is still available to order through email at roadsideresponderssask@gmail.com and our Facebook page. Our awards banquet was held Saturday night, which included a great meal followed by live entertainment that had the crowd up dancing the night away. Lots of fun was had by all.
Sunday morning was our end day, and people started heading home at noon. The RRAS, would like to thank everyone who participated and attended, including vendors, sponsors, towers, out-of-province towers and truckers from Alberta, and the general public who dropped in. A special thank you goes to people who travelled great distances, especially the families of the men and women in the industry. It was an honour to host this event.
To watch videos of the tow show with vendor spotlights, beauty contest, and the Spirit Ride Memorial, visit Stratychuk Media’s channel on YouTube.
The “Spirit Ride” Memorial
The Spirit Ride Memorial honouring fallen emergency responders, including tow truck operators, was on display at the RRAS Saskatoon Tow Show. The mission of this special memorial is to raise awareness about the safety of roadside responders and pay tribute to those who have tragically lost their lives while working on the side of highways. This idea originated in the United States, and the RRAS has brought the concept home to Canada.
In recent years, RRAS members have taken this memorial on the back of their deck trucks all over the province to remind drivers to obey the Slow Down Move Over law. The casket on top of the memorial bears a plaque dedicated to Courney Schaefer, an RRAS member who lost his life while responding to a call during a horrific snowstorm on March 7, 2017.
