Not much will get me downtown in the city on a weekend fighting through one way traffic and endless parking wars. But a fun family event is worth every minute of the navigation and chaos. I however was smart and planned ahead, mapped out parking and only paid $5 for the day. Yes we had to walk a couple of blocks, but it was worth not being crammed in and paying double.
From the moment we stepped into the venue we could feel our senses heightened. As the trucks revved up their engines and the announcer randomly would go live giving the countdown to the action starting. The arena filled with the smell of exhaust, rubber and fresh dirt. The rumbles filled our bodies and the ear plugs were a must. The crowd were all excited and in great spirits.
I was with three of my children at Budweiser Gardens and we were there to see the Monster Trucks on their Canadian Maple Leaf Monster Jam tour. Since it was an afternoon show there were lots of families with children, but still many die hard fans of all ages. Everyone was in the Monster Jam spirit and they all had their faves they were cheering on.
While we sat in the stands watching the quads race in anticipation of the big trucks, we were offered popcorn, cotton candy and souvenirs. My six year old kept yelling words like “Awesome!” and “Cool!” while my teens kept their eyes on the action. I think everyone in the stands had smiles on their faces when the huge trucks came out. I was thrilled to see so many of the talented drivers were women. As a mom to two girls it is encouraging for today’s youth to see girls too can do cool and adventurous jobs.
Time flew by quick during the show. There were a few jumps and a few delays, a few flips and non-stop action. Lots of fan freebies as well being thrown out to the stands. Locals love their big trucks!
Below are some of our faves
This is the Grave Digger, a fan fave was a lot of fun to watch. Quick with bright coloured paint, it was one to keep your eyes on.
My six year old loved the Dalmatian driven by a woman from Quebec and also Scooby-Doo that is driven by a woman as well. These trucks are done up like huge dogs with tails and floppy ears. Lots of the kids int eh crowd enjoyed them.
These trucks are so massive when they flip and rollover they need a back hoe with crane to roll them back. Fun to watch once you know the driver is safe.
Being in Canada one of the faves was Northern Nightmare. There were two trucks there on the team. Both were amazing to watch!
This country gal was happy she ventured to the city to watch this great show. It was a lot of fun and my kids are still going on about all the action. There was also motocross races and jumps to keep things fresh and add some variety to the afternoon. A must see for anyone who love trucks, gears and noise! I highly recommend ear plugs for yourself and ear protection for children as it is loud. But so worth ti. The show lasts about two and a half hours long, but goes fast.
If you are looking for a great afternoon of fun you should check out Monster Jam in a city near you www.monsterjam.com Of course there are evening performances as well for those of you without children.
Saving tip– Get your tickets in advance as it is $2 more same day at the door. They were giving a $10 a seat discount for tickets bought a year in advance when we were there. For a big family that is a big savings
For even more fun be sure to get passes to the pit pre-show ans meet the drivers up close. I love how they have all been commenting on pics on Instagram and twitter. They really love their fans!
Maple Leaf Monster Jam Tour, an incredible family-friendly experience starring the biggest performers on four wheels: Monster Jam monster trucks. These twelve-feet-tall, ten-thousand-pound machines will bring you to your feet, racing and ripping up a custom-designed track full of obstacles to soar over – OR smash through. Monster Jam provides a massive night’s entertainment tailored perfectly for your family’s budget, and these colourful, larger-than-life beasts are sure to capture the hearts of both young and old.
For all the latest action be sure to follow #MyMonsterJam and #MonsterJam hashtags
Disclosure- I attended this show for free as media. All opinions are my own
I went to my very First Monster Jam show last month here in Edmonton. Had an awesome time even though it was very LOUD! LOL! But that made it more fun for me. 🙂 A fantastic show to check out for sure! Lot of little ones love it too, was cool to see so many kids there.
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