Vintage Haulers roll in to Memorial Park for 25th Anniversary Show

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If you’re a truck aficionado, Johnston War Memorial Park was the place to be Sunday.

For about six hours, the Ocean State Vintage Haulers held their 25th Anniversary Show. It offered families – especially those with young children – a chance to walk down memory lane and view a variety of vehicles that some members still use in their daily businesses.

“We’ve got just about every make of truck here today,” said Joe Pingitore, a Johnston resident who owns and operates J. Pingitore & Sons Construction and serves as president of OSVH. “If you don’t see a certain truck, it probably no longer exists.”

There were old pick-up trucks, huge haulers and even old-time fire trucks whose owners purchased the vehicles and refurbished them for private use or to show at event’s like Sunday’s show.

Moreover, it was a day to celebrate for the OSVH, who had concession trucks on site and sold anniversary shirts and hats. In some cases, owners provided photo opportunities for people like Paul Pizzi, who lifted his grandson Julian Rengigas onto a Mack truck.

In all, Pingitore said Sunday’s show “had upwards of 75 trucks, and that’s up from the 10 to 15 vehicles we usually get at this show.”

“Personally, I’m thrilled with today’s results, especially since our club celebrates the tremendous impact the truck hauling industry has had one this country as well as the beauty of vintage trucks that our members collect and own,” he added.

North Providence resident Richard Quetta is no stranger to the OSVH show or others around the state. Quetta owns, maintains and shows his prize 1937 Ward La Chance fire truck, which also serves as a memorial to his late brother Frank J. Quetta Jr. Frank was a Providence Fire Department battalion chief who died in action back in 2009.

“I don’t know any kids who don’t like fire trucks,” Quetta said with a smile. “Some of those once so-called kids have grown up to be owners of old-time fire engines, pumpers and other apparatus.”

Although he doesn’t show a fire truck, OSVH vice president Ron Rossi brought at least a half-dozen different trucks to Sunday’s show.

“This great family fun for our guests and members,” Rossi said. “We are proud to be the Rhode Island chapter of the American Truck Historical Society, and we’re always looking for new members.” 

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