Transport for Christ honors the life of a fallen trucking family member in 2018 parade
As night fell, the lights came on, and the 320 trucks in the parade lit the night sky. The event has drawn thousands of people, who have barbecues, family outings and picnics as part of the celebration.
What started out as an event that celebrated the unity and family of truck drivers has become something of a multi-county sensation that draws thousands of people who anticipate an enjoyable evening.
The annual Transport for Christ Parade of Lights took place Friday, July 6 when 320 trucks and other hauling vehicles met in Kidron and paraded throughout Holmes and Wayne County in a gigantic snakelike procession that ended up in Mt. Hope.
The parade has grown from a couple-dozen trucks to more than 300 with this year’s parade drawing more drivers than ever. In addition the roads along the path of the parade were littered with people who showed out in droves to witness the spectacle.
Kidron road was inundated with countless family and friends getting together for barbecue in what could be called “Barbecue Alley.” By estimates over 500 people gathered in Bunker Hill while probably four times that were situated in Berlin to view the procession. In Fryburg another 300 people lined the way, and in between along County Road 77, state Routes 241 and 39, County Road 201, and Kidron Road, there were countless tiny pockets of people who turned out to watch the procession of trucks.
The event begins in daylight, where people can see the trucks and drivers. Then as night falls, the lights come on for a glorious evening showcase. Many people make the trip to Kidron Road or County Road 77. Then once the procession is through and they have seen the trucks in the daylight, they make their way to County Road 201 or to state Route 241 to catch the parade after dark.
“Every year we have people ask why we start so early and why we start so late,” TFC director Gary Nussbaum said. “It is so people get a chance to see the trucks in daylight and at night with all of the lights on. It is something to see, and I know our drivers really appreciate the way everyone shows up to support them and to be a part of something that is pretty special.”
Nussbaum said the event began as a way for truck drivers to celebrate their sense of family and unity, and that has not changed. It remains one of the most important reasons for the two-day event, which includes stops in Kidron and Mt. Hope, an auction, live music and more.
While the event has been a joyful one over the years, this year’s event took on a more somber feeling as the trucking community mourned for and celebrated the life of one of its own.
Corey McCaslin of Port Washington drove for Chance 2 Transport in Millersburg. He passed away Tuesday, July 3 in a fiery crash in Eden, Idaho.
McCaslin was eastbound on his way home when another semi-tractor trailer hauling potatoes heading westbound swerved into his lane and hit him head on. The horrific crash took the life of McCaslin, whom Nussbaum said was beloved by everyone he came in contact with through his work.
“Corey’s passing created a very somber feel at times, but we were honored to be able to pay tribute to him and honor his memory in several ways throughout the event,” Nussbaum said.
There was a time of remembering McCaslin in Kidron, and a large banner was placed on the front of the C2T truck that followed the lead TFC truck in the parade.
In Kidron two large photographs were available for drivers to sign, and McCaslin’s trophies he had won over the years for his immaculate rig were on display.
In Mt. Hope local entertainer John Schmid sang “Going Home” as the large trucking community paused in silence to honor and say a prayer for their fallen fellow driver.
Nussbaum said the truck-driving community is a tight-knit group, and when something like this happens, it only reiterates the angers of the job they have and the notion that each day is to be enjoyed.
“Something like this really does hit home for all of the drivers,” Nussbaum said. “When Rod Miller (owner of C2T) approached me, all we could do was embrace. We oftentimes talk about how on any given day something like that can happen to any one of the drivers. We were glad we could honor Corey, and it was neat seeing that he had so many people who knew and loved him.”
While the din of the tragic accident hovered over the proceedings, the parade did go on, and the drivers welcomed the opportunity to show off their rigs. Many of them took many hours to clean and prepare them specifically for this event.
Mark Schlabach, who has driven in the parade before, was able to sit with his family and friends to view the parade this year. He said there is always something special, a bond of unity that accompanies the parade each year.
“There is a camaraderie among the drivers,” Schlabach said. “It is also a wonderful opportunity to connect with other area truckers. I don’t think even the drivers realize how many other local drivers there are on the road. It’s nice to see everyone get together and share old trucking stories and to look at all of the trucks.”
Schlabach said he missed being in it after driving the past eight years, but he also cherishes the chance to sit with his children to view the parade.
“I came down through Kidron, and I saw barbecues, people playing volleyball, sitting around campfires and having family get-togethers, and if something like this can bring people together, that only makes it that much better,” Schlabach said. “And this year I saw more out-of-state trucks than I have ever seen before.”
Transport for Christ has provided a vital place for truck drivers to stop, relax and focus on their faith, with stops all over the nation and beyond. That this event extends that mission to drivers and to the communities it touches helps drive home the idea that TFC wants to continue to be a haven of rest, safety and peace for the drivers.
“We don’t have any clue what next year will bring, but we are very grateful for everyone who participated in the event, who provided food and music and much more, and as always we appreciate those who came out to watch and support us. It means so much to our drivers to see that kind of appreciation, and it is exciting to be a part of it all.”