WESTFIELD – The trucking industry will be taking over the Whip City on Sunday Oct. 9. The ATHS Pioneer Valley Chapter 13th Annual Truck Show will be held at the Patriot Freightline-Western Star truck dealership on 910 Southampton Rd.
ATHS, which stands for American Truck Historical Society, has a chapter in every state that represents that state for ATHS.
Don Prifti, the owner of Prifti Motors on College Hwy in Southwick, will be entering his sixth year as the chapter president. According to Prifti, to “preserve the nostalgia of the historic commission of the trucks” is a main priority as a chapter for this show.
Having that responsibility is no issue for Prifti as trucking has been his passion.
“It is part of my life,” said Prifti. “I’ve always been involved with heavy trucking.”
Along with the help of his wife Nancy, Prifti will be hosting the event at the new location this year at Patriot Freightline. In the past, the event was held at the lot at Mestek Inc. on North Elm St.
Don Prifti and Nancy Prifti, of Prifti Motors, will be hosting the 13th Annual Truck Show on Oct. 9. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
The new location offers its own set of benefits. Being at a truck dealership, the entire event will be on the blacktop opposed to other truck shows that may be in the mud or dirt. The lot is also fenced in.
“We’re hoping that everyone is going to be comfortable there,” said Nancy Prifti.
The event on Sunday Oct. 9 starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. The entrance fee will be a donation of dry canned goods that will go towards the Westfield Food Pantry.
Every year, the Prifti’s support different local organizations and give back to them. Last year, they supported Amelia Park. This year, the truck show will be supporting the Mass. State Police Historical Museum. Both Don and Nancy are hoping to have an antique Mass. State Police cruiser at the event.
“We support local organizations with our funding,” said Don Prifti.
The trucks being featured at the show include old and antique trucks as well as pickup trucks. It doesn’t matter if they are rusty or restored, either way, the trucks can be put on display.
“It’s not only for large trucks,” said Prifti. “We have a smatter of small trucks.”
However, in order to have your truck on display, there is a show vehicle registration fee that is $5 per vehicle.
When Don Prifti first started as the chapter, there were about 25 trucks. Now, Prifti has seen an average of 100 trucks and expects around the same this year as long as the weather holds up.
The Prifti’s also mentioned the family-oriented atmosphere that will be a part of the event. T-shirts, hats, door prizes, and a 50/50 raffle will be offered.
Uncle Benny’s Kitchen Food Truck, out of Ludlow, Mass., will be serving breakfast and lunch. Local music will also be provided for the event.
As Don Prifti is hopes that the show remains to be a major success for the community and local truckers throughout the area, he is determined on keeping the event where he has always hosted it.
“I’d like to keep our show in Westfield.”
