BROOKSVILLE — Things will get a little dirty this weekend at the Hernando County Fairgrounds.
Open mud pits, truck shows, country music, sled pulls and obstacle course racing are among the many activities planned for the Brooksville Pulling Association's first Truck Fest. The event kicks off at noon today and continues through Sunday.
"There will be something for everyone, from the little guys to grown men, and women, too," said Angie Okrasinski, a member of the Hernando County Fair Board.
Okrasinski said that although the fairgrounds has played host to many truck-pulling events over the years, this weekend's event will offer much more.
"It definitely will be a lot of fun," she said.
The weekend's headline music act is McKinley and Beggs (9-11 p.m. today; 6 p.m. to close Saturday). J.T. Curtis opens for them at 4 p.m. both days.
McKinley and Beggs, founded by country music legend Mel Tillis in 2008, received critical acclaim for their debut album, By the Fire. Their second album features the hit Things I Like to Do.
"If Mel Tillis thinks they're great, you can be sure they are," said Truck Fest organizer Richard Klimas with the Brooksville Pulling Association.
There could be an appearance by Tillis himself, or possibly his daughter, country singer Pam Tillis.
"I'm hoping he shows up," Klimas said. "There are no guarantees, but he is known to show up at the big events, and this is definitely considered a big event."
On Sunday, Peter Hunt and the Southern Branded Band play from noon to 4 p.m.
Today's Truck Fest highlights include the Miss Truck Fest contest. But it won't be an ordinary beauty contest. Women 18 and older who compete must bring their truck or a truck that represents them.
"(Contestants) can't just come out and be pretty," Klimas said. "They must change a mud truck tire and ride the bull. And after getting nice and dirty, they'll go in front of the judges and answer (truck-related) questions."
Competitions are open to all with more than $10,000 in cash and prizes, including more than $1,500 today's truck show and more than $6,000 for Saturday's mud racing obstacle course. The marquis Big Air competition Sunday will include trucks of all sizes. The truck that gets the farthest off the ground wins the freestyle jam.He said one owner has boasted that he can get to 137 mph within 200 feet.
"I'm waiting to see that," Klimas said.
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