THUNDER BAY -- The Monster X Tour had planned on holding three monster truck shows during their first trip to the city, unsure of what the community response would be.
They discovered very quickly they made the right decision coming to the Thunder Bay area.
After being blown away by early ticket sales promoters scheduled a last minute fourth show, which culminated the monster truck showcase weekend on Sunday at the Murillo Fairgrounds.
“We had sold out shows all weekend. Ticket sales were doing so well we added this show so everyone who wanted to see the show could,” Monster X Tour announcer Dallas Glenn-Rogers said.
Not bad considering temperatures were around the freezing mark all weekend.
“The weather is absolutely crazy. I don’t think I’ve ever done a show before where it’s been this cold,” he said.
“The conditions are a little rough. For the monster trucks to get awesome horsepower they have to build a little bit of heat and you can see the drivers starting the trucks earlier to let them heat up.
All in all, things went off without a hitch for the cross-continent tour’s first stop in Northwestern Ontario.
Thousands of people converged at the Murillo Fairgrounds throughout the weekend and the bleachers around the action were packed with people bundled up enjoying the show.
Matthew Sdao came along with Ashley and Taylor Syrek. Now a parent, Sdao remembers seeing a live monster truck show when he was about 10. He saw one of the trucks outside a local auto parts store earlier this weekend and decided he needed to relive the experience.
“The atmosphere and the sounds are just great,” he said.
A lot of the children in attendance were in awe of the power of the machines.
“This is my first time at a monster truck show,” Caleb Booth said. “I like the sounds, it’s really loud.
Glenn-Rogers said he would welcome the opportunity to make a return appearance in the area.
“It’s such a great community with everyone pitching and helping the show come together,” he said.
“With how great these people are I can’t wait until I come back.”
