Salt Lake City drivers found themselves in the middle of a parade Friday night as dozens of big-rig trucks, fire engines, vintage pickups and flatbeds made their way down State Street as part of the "Konvoy for Kids."
The state's trucking industry held the parade to kick off the eighth annual Great Salt Lake Truck Show, which will be held at the state fair grounds today and Sunday.Admission is free. More than 150 of the trucks will be on display, with proceeds from the show going to the National Kidney Foundation of Utah Truck Show Kidney Kamp.
Although small groups of people dotted the parade route, most of those who watched the parade stumbled on it accidentally. Since traffic continued to flow around the trucks, which got separated by traffic lights, some watchers thought at first that big rigs were being routed off nearby I-15 due to construction.
JoAnn Mills and her daughter Amber, 13, and son Bobby, 12, were celebrating Bobby's birthday with friends Eric Hendricks, 12, and Sean Bills, 9, when they noticed "a lot of trucks" on the street. It didn't take them long to realize it was some kind of special event.
"It was pretty cool," Mills said.
Visitors to the truck show will be able to climb into the trucks, some of which have sleeping areas, kitchens and bathrooms, and view exhibits on how trucks affect life.
The Kidney Kamp lets patients who have to use dialysis, as well as transplant patients and their families, enjoy a weekend in nature. Activities include fishing, swimming, motivational and personal growth speakers, games, arts and crafts, climbing an entertainment.
For more information about the National Kidney Foundation of Utah or its activities, call 266-5277.