Photo credit: Smart-Trucking
Baraboo, WI — August 8–9, 2025
A Weekend That Roared Into History
Some weekends fade into the blur. You mow the lawn, refill the fridge, maybe watch a game, and by Monday morning you can barely remember what you did.
Then there are weekends like this one.
The Badger State Truck’n Show didn’t just roll into Baraboo — it roared in. It was diesel smoke and chrome glare, laughter and air horns, and a whole lot of proof that trucking is more than a job. It’s a living, breathing culture.
From the minute the gates opened, you could feel it in your chest — the low rumble of well-tuned engines, the gleam of rigs polished within an inch of their lives, and the unmistakable pride of a community that knows its worth.
From Waupun’s Last Mile to Baraboo’s First
For years, the Waupun Truck-N-Show was a staple in Wisconsin’s trucking calendar. Its closure after 2024 felt like the end of an era. People were disappointed, sure, but many figured that was it — another beloved tradition parked for good.
That’s not how truckers think.
Wade Riffey and his crew didn’t see an ending. They saw an open lane. They moved fast, secured the Badger Steam & Gas Grounds, and started building something worthy of replacing — and even surpassing — what was lost.
This wasn’t a placeholder event. It was a statement. The Badger State Truck’n Show came out swinging: more space, more shine, more reasons to believe that Wisconsin’s trucking spirit wasn’t just alive — it was kicking into high gear.
Friday: Where the Shine Starts
By Friday morning, the grounds looked like someone had opened the gates to a rolling art gallery. Long hoods, short hoods, stretched frames, and cabovers gleamed under the August sun.
You didn’t just see the shine — you felt it.
⭐ Truck Rides — For ten bucks, you could climb into a polished cab, settle into the driver’s seat, and see the world from a driver’s-eye view. The rumble under your feet wasn’t just mechanical — it was alive.
⭐ Kid Zone — The next generation was out in force. Bounce houses bounced, pedal pulls turned into mini-competitions, and “Touch-a-Truck” turned curious kids into wide-eyed dreamers. Somewhere out there, a five-year-old was deciding they’d be a driver one day.
⭐ Light Show Fever — As the sun dipped, the fairgrounds transformed. LEDs pulsed, stacks glowed, and chrome reflected it all back in a blaze of color. Judges worked their way through, but let’s be honest — the real winners were the crowd members whose jaws never closed all night.
Saturday: Heart, Horsepower, and High Stakes
Saturday didn’t drift in — it charged in like a fully loaded flatbed hitting the on-ramp.
⭐ Show Truck Judging — Categories like Best Paint, Best Engine, Interior Mastery, and People’s Choice drew fierce competition. This wasn’t about vanity — it was about pride. Every dent removed, every chrome surface polished, every light positioned just so… it was all part of telling a story.
⭐ Make-A-Wish Convoy — At 11 a.m., the air horns blasted and the convoy rolled out. The first 10 slots went to the highest bidders, raising money to grant wishes for kids who needed something bright in their lives. When that line of trucks hit the road, it wasn’t just horsepower that moved people — it was heart power.
⭐ Midday Mayhem — Vendors sold everything from custom chrome shift knobs to hand-tooled leather belts. Barrel-train rides looped kids past the rigs, food stalls filled the air with the smell of smoked meat, and face painters transformed kids into mini truck show mascots.
⭐ Beer Tent + Lindsay Lawler — As the day faded, Nashville came to Baraboo. Lindsay Lawler lit up the stage, blending music with stories from the road. The crowd sang along, swayed, and clinked glasses. For a moment, it felt like the whole trucking world had shrunk down to one tent.
Sunday: The Quiet Mile
By Sunday morning, the energy shifted. It wasn’t gone — it was just calmer. Drivers, vendors, and fans came together for the Truckers’ Appreciation Breakfast, swapping stories over coffee and eggs.
First hauls. Worst breakdowns. Best saves. The kinds of tales that only make sense to people who’ve lived them.
When the closing prayer wrapped up, the rigs rolled out — one by one, chrome flashing in the morning sun. They headed home, back to the road, carrying not just freight but the memory of a weekend worth keeping.
Dan’s Take — Pride Isn’t Just for Show Days
“The thing about shows like this is that they’re about more than just looking good. They’re about intent. Every driver who rolled in didn’t just show off — they showed up. And that’s exactly how we should approach trucking every single day.” – Dan Greer, Eclipse DOT
Here’s the thing: the same care you put into detailing your truck for a show should go into keeping your fleet inspection-ready all year. You wouldn’t roll into a show with streaky chrome and half-finished paint — so why roll into an inspection with incomplete records, expired permits, or sloppy maintenance logs?
The Eclipse DOT Connection
At Eclipse DOT, we help drivers and fleet owners bring that same “show shine” mindset to compliance. We know it’s not just about avoiding fines — it’s about pride in your operation, protecting your reputation, and keeping your business rolling without surprise shutdowns.
Whether it’s:
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⭐ Organizing your DOT files so they’re inspection-ready
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⭐ Training your team so they know what inspectors look for
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⭐ Running mock audits to catch problems before they cost you
…we’ve got you covered.
More Than a Show — A Community Statement
The Badger State Truck’n Show proved something big: trucking isn’t going anywhere. It’s as strong, vibrant, and united as ever.
It’s about family — the one you were born into and the one you find at the next truck stop.
It’s about craft — turning a tool of the trade into a masterpiece.
It’s about community — showing up, lending a hand, and keeping the convoy moving forward together.
Baraboo didn’t just host a truck show. It hosted a reminder of why we do what we do.
Your Turn to Shine — On and Off the Lot
If your trucks look ready for the spotlight, make sure your compliance files can handle the same attention.
Book a FREE DOT Check-Up with Eclipse DOT today — we’ll go through your records, maintenance logs, and safety systems with the same care a show judge uses to inspect chrome. That way, when your turn comes, you’re ready to win — whether it’s on the showgrounds or at the scale.
📅 Schedule here: EclipseDOT.com
Because turning heads is great. But keeping wheels turning? That’s what keeps the show — and your business — alive.
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