Get motors runnin’

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
THE streets of Alexandra will once again be humming with the presence of high-powered vehicles over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.
It will be the 15th staging of the Alexandra Truck, Ute and Rod Show, held in the town’s main street from 11 June to 12 June.
Held on Saturday afternoon at midday, the Rod Run encapsulates some of the most picturesque countryside in the region from Alexandra out to and around Eildon and back, and will be followed up by a barbecue lunch at the Alexandra Timber Tramway Museum and ride on the 100-year-old Diesel Train.
The main event will be held on the Sunday when visitors should prepare to be amazed by giant interstate rigs, timber trucks and an incredible array of hot rods and utes as they line up in Alexandra’s main street where they are presented for visitors and judges alike to inspect, enjoy and admire.
On Sunday afternoon an auction will be held in Grant Street at 2pm followed by the presentations for Truck of the Show, Rods and Customs, and Utes at 3.30pm. The weekend will be wrapped up with the popular wood chopping competition. This is held as the final event of the Victorian wood chopping season and involves seniors and juniors alike.
The enjoyment of the day will be complemented with all-day live entertainment from the very popular Smokin O’Briens, Munroes Mill and John Wells who will be playing on stage throughout the festivities.
Local sporting clubs, community and charity auxiliaries will also be offering food and drink for purchase on the day, plus trade stalls of all kinds and a sideshow alley for the younger visitors.
All of the proceeds from this year’s event will go towards new equipment for men’s health at Alexandra Hospital, with the organisers committing $35,000 already.
For those who aren’t quite as interested in trucks and utes, there will be a fantastic quilting exhibition held in the Masonic Hall at the top end of Grant Street to be enjoyed by people looking for a quieter form of entertainment.
For more information visit www.alexandratruckshow.com.au