A young boy is hoisted up to get a good look at one of seven monster trucks that would roar into action at the Scotia Speedworld, near the Halifax airport, on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Francis Campbell /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentChildren and monsters normally don’t mix.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentUnder a brilliant Saturday afternoon sun at Scotia Speedworld, adjacent to the Halifax airport, hundreds of excited youngsters readily embraced monsters of the truck variety. Article contentArticle content“It’s a family driven event,” said Mike James, co-owner and promoter of the NAPA Auto Parts World Series of Monster Trucks, on its regular three-day stop at Scotia Speedworld.Article contentArticle content“There are over 4,000 people here today and it’s the smiles that you get from the children who just love monster trucks,” said James, 48, originally from Gander N.L.Article content“This show is for anybody from five months old to 80 years old,” James said. “The demo is families, you see all the little children out here, because like Barbie doll, Monster Truck is the No. 2 toy in the world.Article content“You think about little boys, they like dump trucks, they like garbage trucks, and then you take a monster truck and it goes out and destroys cars, it’s pretty easy for them to gravitate toward that,” James said.Article content“Monster trucks are for everybody. You see the little girls out there cheering on Scarlet Bandit, it’s no longer a little boys show. You see a lot of little girls out there. It’s a great show.”Article content Saylor and Oaklen Renaud pose for a photo beside the giant tires of Xtreme Jim, the lone Canadian monster truck in competition Saturday, July 26, at Scotia Speedworld. Photo by Francis Campbell /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentSiblings Saylor, 6, and Oaklen Renaud, celebrating his fourth birthday, seemed to agree, posing for photos in front of the humongous 66-inch tires on Xtreme Jim and Scarlet Bandit, two of the seven monsters in action at the speedway over the weekend.Article contentArticle contentSaylor said the Scarlet Bandit was her favourite, and not because it’s owned and driven by Dawn Creten, a 27-year veteran and pioneer female driver on the monster tour.Article content“The pink one because it’s pink,” Saylor said when prompted to say why Scarlet Bandit was her choice among the monsters.Article contentThe Renauds, including dad Michael, were among a throng of fans who, with the price of admission of $35 for general attendees and $25 for children 12 and under, earned access to the seven trucks parked in the grass on the infield of the nearly half-kilometre paved oval track, before the main events started at 2 p.m.Article contentThe trucks top out at about 12 feet from ground to truck top, about twice the height of a normal half-ton truck. The tires are more than twice the height of a traditional truck tire.Article content Mike James, promoter and co-owner of the of the NAPA Auto Parts World Series of Monster Trucks, gets ready for a big Saturday at Scotia Speedworld, near the Halifax airport, on July 26, 2025. Photo by Francis Campbell /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentJames said the vehicles are now specially manufactured for the purpose of entertainment, although the monster truck craze kicked off in the early 1980 with large wheels and tires jacking up factory built trucks.
Monsters on the prowl in broad daylight at Scotia Speedworld
