1 Jun 2024

In pictures: Annual Truck Show rolls through Gore

10:11 pm on 1 June 2024
Residents gather to admire the parade.

Residents gather to admire the parade. Photo: RNZ/Samuel Robinson

Locals lined Main Street in Gore on Saturday to observe a unique spectacle: A parade of the region's biggest, best and most boisterous trucks.

The McDonough Contracting Gore Truck Show has been delighting Southland locals for more than 40 years and is an opportunity for farmers and labourers to show off their most prized possessions.

From concrete mixers to cattle transporters, tow trucks and fire engines, more than100 trucks of all shapes and sizes paraded up and down Gore's main strip.

Drivers honked their horns and waved to residents who had turned out in the rain and hail to celebrate the procession.

The event is a part of the nine-day Bayley's Tussock Country Music Festival, which finishes on 2 June with the 49th Annual Gold Guitar awards, recognising the best in New Zealand country music.

Locals wait for the Gore Truck Show to begin.

Locals wait for the Gore Truck Show to begin. Photo: RNZ/Samuel Robinson

Eagle-eyed young ones keep watch for the incoming trucks.

Eagle-eyed young ones keep watch for the incoming trucks. Photo: RNZ/Samuel Robinson

All of the blue trucks formed a procession.

All of the blue trucks formed a procession. Photo: RNZ/Samuel Robinson

A dad and his children enjoy a picnic during the parade.

A dad and his children enjoy a picnic during the parade. Photo: RNZ/Samuel Robinson

Community Patrol keeps the roads safe while the parade drives through.

Community Patrol keeps the roads safe while the parade drives through. Photo: RNZ/Samuel Robinson

A resident enjoys the parade from her fold-out chair.

A resident enjoys the parade from her fold-out chair. Photo: RNZ/Samuel Robinson

An 18-wheeler rolls through Gore.

An 18-wheeler rolls through Gore. Photo: RNZ/Samuel Robinson

A young girl signals to the drivers to honk their horns.

A young girl signals to the drivers to honk their horns. Photo: RNZ/Samuel Robinson

Truckers of all sizes are welcome at the parade.

Truckers of all sizes are welcome at the parade. Photo: RNZ/Samuel Robinson

The horns proved too loud for some smaller residents.

The horns proved too loud for some smaller residents. Photo: RNZ/Samuel Robinson

Brodie Christie brings his tamariki out for an afternoon of truck-filled fun.

Brodie Christie brings his tamariki out for an afternoon of truck-filled fun. Photo: RNZ/Samuel Robinson

As the rain and hail sets in, it's not just the humans feeling the cold.

As the rain and hail sets in, it's not just the humans feeling the cold. Photo: RNZ/Samuel Robinson