This year’s tour is special because Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live is celebrating the 50th birthday of the iconic Bigfoot.
SAN DIEGO, CA — Hot Wheels Monster Trucks are rolling back into San Diego with a brand-new show and a special birthday celebration.
Following the success of last year’s Glow Party, Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow-N-Fire will light and heat up Pechanga Arena with three showtimes this weekend.
The action-packed show, produced by Family Entertainment Live, brings fan-favorite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks to life, including Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, HW 5-Alarm, Bone Shaker, Gunkster, Bigfoot and the new Skelesaurus.
This year’s tour is special because Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live is celebrating the 50th birthday of the iconic Bigfoot — the monster truck that started it all.
“We’re celebrating 50 years of Bigfoot, but 50 years of monster trucks, really,” said Caleb Janezich, who drives the famous monster truck.
Janezich has been a part of the Bigfoot team since 2022 and has been driving the monster truck for a year. However, he’s been a lifelong fan.
Janezich grew up going to monster truck shows with his dad.
“I didn’t really have any prior experience with monster trucks,” he said. “I was always a fan like everybody else. I was always into them and always a Bigfoot fan.”
Janezich, who hails from Missouri, started off as a crew member. Now, he’s behind the wheel of the massive truck he loved as a child.
“It’s a big honor,” Janezich told Patch. “It’s a lot to take in sometimes. It’s a big name to represent, but I love doing it.”
The Bigfoot monster truck began in 1975 when Bob Chandler, a carpenter and owner of a four-wheel-drive shop, modified his Ford F-250 pickup to promote his business. The modifications led to bigger tires, bigger axles and a bigger motor, which evolved into the first public car crush demonstration in 1981, establishing Bigfoot as the original monster truck and launching a new sport, according to the Bigfoot website.
“I love the humble beginnings of Bigfoot,” Janezich said. “I love where Bigfoot came from and how it started, and really, how Bigfoot started is what started the whole monster truck industry.”
Fans can bring their homemade birthday cards to wish Bigfoot a happy birthday and make homemade birthday signs for a chance to win prizes during the show. Fans can also visit hotwheelsmonstertruckslive.com and leave a birthday message for the monster truck and let event organizers know if they are celebrating a birthday too. Select birthday messages will be shared during the show.
Event organizers said the new show promises to feature the same level of fun and excitement that fans have come to expect, but with an added fiery twist. Event-goers can also expect a special appearance from a transforming robot, plus the high-flyers of the tour’s Freestyle Motocross Team.
In addition to the show, fans have a chance to participate in the interactive Pre-Show Party, held two-and a-half hours prior to every performance. The event gives fans access to the arena floor, where they can see the trucks and meet the drivers. Pre-Show Party tickets include an autograph card, lanyard and souvenir pass.
“It’s all about the fans,” Janezich said. “It’s always motivating and makes you feel good when you see people being excited. That’s really what monster trucks are all about. It’s all about fans, families and kids and putting on a show for them.”
Shows are scheduled for 12:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Pre-shows begin at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday.
More information and tickets are available at hotwheelsmonstertruckslive.com.