Trucks on parade

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CAR CRUSHER: Heinrich Chevrolet’s “foreign car appreciation” is displayed through a car crusher Sunday afternoon in Lockport. Heinrich Chevrolet sponsored what it hoped would be “Largest Parade of Chevrolet Trucks.” Two foreign cars were “sacrificed.” Heather Grimmer/Contributor

March 29, 2010

By Bill Wolcott Lockport Union-Sun & Journal The Lockport Union-Sun %26 Journal Mon Mar 29, 2010, 01:48 PM EDT

LOCKPORT —

The word’s largest Chevy truck parade didn’t quite earn a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records, but a record of some sort was set when at least 220 trucks rolled from Outwater Park to Heinrich Chevrolet on Sunday.

The goal was 250 trucks, but some of the participants who rolled along Transit did not register. Heinrich aimed for entry into the World Records Academy and the Universal Records Database.

The oldest registered truck in the field was a 1940 Chevy. However, there was a 1936 silver-gray Chevy pickup with running board in the Heinrich parking lot.

Many trucks were directed into auxiliary parking in the Lockport Mall lot, causing one person to ask, “Is there a sale at Bon-Ton today?”

Proceeds from the basket raffle, 50-50 split and hot dog sales were donated to Niagara Hospice. Black T-shirts and hats saying “World Record 2010” were sold for $10 and $5 and to benefit hospice. They sold out of shirts in the showroom.

“We’ve been partners with Hospice for five or six years now,” said Charley Heinrich, who drove a three-quarter-ton Silverado in the parade. “Couldn’t think of a better cause.”

Heinrich donated $10 for each truck to Niagara Hospice.

Registration started at 1 p.m. at Outwater and the parade, led by a state trooper in a Chevy truck, began about 1:45 p.m.

Desmond and Dan Stoll, a father and son team, sang and played. Country WYRK 106.5 provided prizes.

Green was in. The variety of trucks included a 1963 Chevy green pickup, which still had the sticker in the window. The sticker price of $2,179 included a $32 sales tax. The Thunder Alley Hotrod Co. showed of a 1955 pickup in mid-metallic green.

“Tell them we want green trucks again,” said Bill Cummings, whose “Shamrock the Leprechaun” truck was awarded the most unique prize. Cummings, dressed as a leprechaun, handed out candy from a pot of gold and his green truck was decorated with gold coins.

Justin Ribbeck of Akron had the truck with the most accessories. His 2008 Chevy Duramax Diesel was loaded. “There’s too many to count and the list isn’t stopping,” he said.

One truck was confirmed to have 328,000 miles. An army drab green vehicle looked like a pre-war Hummer.

The car crusher from Niagara Metals with Heinrich at the controls failed to climb over two foreign cars that were sentenced to be crushed. The Hyundai and Kia rolled away when the crusher attempted to climb on their hoods.

“It’s great, it’s a lot of fun,” said Terry Rohring, a Wilson volunteer firefighter who paraded with his first big truck, a 2008 Silverado.

Jed Weaver of Lockport bought his Trailblazer from Heinrich. “It’s pretty neat,” he said. “I’m a fan of Guinness Book of World Records so I hope that we made it.”

The Berrys of Lockport could have snared the biggest family in the parade. A dozen Berrys came in two vehicles and some of the grandchildren got to ride in the back of the Chevy 1500. “They’re happy they’re in a parade,” said Jennifer and Robert Berry.

Great-grandmother Therisa (pronounced ‘There is A’) was a happy front-seat passenger.

Dennis Masti drove his 2004 Silverado SS from Alexandria, Va. to win the longest distance prize.

Contact reporter Bill Wolcott at 439-9222, ext. 6246.

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