Elizabeth Bailey
A group of people sat beneath a tent, Friday, as the Tower Tree Truck Classic revved its engines for the start of the weekend.
Trucks had begun to arrive in the early afternoon, but many were still on their way, planning to park at the fairgrounds in time for the light show at sunset.
Alex Debogorski from the History Channel show Ice Road Truckers was on hand throughout the day, signing autographs and talking with a variety of visitors. The Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada native also took time to visit with Greensburg students as he made a visit to a school.
For Debogorski, driving trucks on the ice road in Canada is just a job.
“It’s what I do,” he said.
He noted with a smile that much of the drive is boring, but it is spiced up with moments of terror. He also is unphased by the fame that has found him since being filmed for the popular television program. While it still throws him off to be recognized in unfamiliar public places, he has always felt famous, he said.
Having raised 11 children, it is also reasonable to wonder about his family’s feelings about his fame, but Debogorski said they each are living their own lives and aren’t much concerned with his notoriety.
He wasn’t treated to the best weather Decatur County has to offer, but he is accustomed to harsh conditions. In his hometown, the residents are guaranteed snowfall prior to Halloween, he said. The area is sub-Arctic, with plentiful moose and deer. The license plates for the province are themselves shaped like a polar bear.
After leaving Decatur County, he was headed to Milwaukee, Wis. to meet up with a convoy in support of the Special Olympics.
As Debogorski heads back north, the fairgrounds will keep busy with 15 classes of truck judging today. Proceeds of the event will benefit Decatur County Head Start. Admission is free, and today will feature a bounce house, face painting and free ice cream for the kids.
