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Local woman’s contest win brings monster trucks to Ramsey Center
By Lynn Hotaling
A local woman who entered an online contest for her 12-year-old son is responsible for the free monster truck show set for Saturday in Cullowhee.
A few tickets remain for the July 1 Monster Jam 7 p.m. event to be held at Western Carolina University’s Ramsey Center. The big trucks are coming to Jackson County courtesy of Susan Shannon of Tathams Creek, who won Monster Jam and Ford Trucks “Monsters on Mainstreet” contest. Her prize: a ‘monster’ free event for her hometown.
Susan Shannon of Sylva, back left, won the national competition, “Monsters on Mainstreet,” that will bring a monster truck competition to Western Carolina University’s Ramsey Center on Saturday, July 1, at 7 p.m. As one of five finalists, Shannon and her family – husband Chris and sons Dylan, left, and Riley – received an all-expenses-paid four-day trip to Las Vegas, Nev. During the finals, Shannon picked the key that started a Ford truck and won the Monster Jam for her hometown. Tickets to Saturday’s event are free, but must be obtained in advance from the Ramsey Center box office. Call 227-7722 for information. – Herald photo by Nick Breedlove
“Winning the Monsters on Mainstreet has been unreal,” said Shannon. “When I got the phone call, I first thought it was a telemarketer. They had to be persistent and send me an e-mail before I was convinced.”
Shannon’s son, Riley, 12, a rising seventh-grader at Victory Christian School, was the driving force behind her entry.
“He watches the truck shows and heard about the contest,” Shannon said, adding that she had to enter on his behalf because contest rules required participants to be at least 18 years old.
“Riley was sure we’d win,” Shannon said.
The Shannons had almost forgotten about the contest by the time Susan learned she was a finalist. Four days later, the family was in Las Vegas on an all-expenses-paid VIP trip for the March 25 finals. Each of the five finalists randomly chose a key, and the one whose key started a “Blue Thunder”-themed 2006 FordSuper Duty truck was proclaimed the winner.
“I’m short, and I could barely reach the pedals,” Susan said. “I couldn’t believe it when the truck started.”
While in Vegas, Riley and Dylan got to meet all the monster truck drivers and get their autographs, and the family was invited to the Monster Jam drivers banquet.
The Shannon family gave out the first 1,000 tickets.
“We gave out 400 tickets at church and school, Susan said. “And we gave more to Little League teams and Broyhill Children’s home. Larry Hinton at Andy Shaw Ford helped us distribute them.”
Susan was a Buchanan before she married, and grew up in Savannah community. She met her husband, Chris Shannon, while working as a nurse in Seattle. They have two sons, Riley and 9-year-old Dylan, who will be in fourth grade this fall.
Saturday’s lineup will begin with a pre-event pit party at 3:30 p.m. outside the center. Fans can see all eight Ford monster trucks on display, meet the drivers and enjoy rides in the Blue Thunder monster truck. The Monster Jam competition will begin at 7 p.m. in the Ramsey Center main arena.
For free tickets (required for admission), contact the Ramsey Center at 227-7722 or visit online at ramsey.wcu.edu. Seating is limited and subject to availability, and organizers suggest people get tickets early. Those who have obtained “Monsters on Mainstreet” ticket vouchers must redeem them at the Ramsey Center for actual tickets in order to be assured of admission to the July 1 event.
As part of Monsters on Mainstreet, several free monster truck mini-events are planned prior to Saturday’s competition. Monster Trucks (along with their drivers) will be displayed at various locations throughout Jackson County today (Thursday) and Friday, June 30. As of press time the schedule included:
Today (Thursday) – 8 a.m.-noon, Kneedler Child Development Center (old Camp Lab School), Cullowhee; 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Jackson County Recreation Department; 2-5 p.m., Bogart’s.
Friday – 8 a.m.-noon, Coffee Ground in Dillsboro Court; 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Southwestern Child Development, Webster; 2-6 p.m., Sav-Mor; 4-8 p.m., Papa’s Pizza, Cullowhee.
For more information, contact Laura Huff, director of marketing for the Ramsey Center, at 227-2070.
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