It’s officially named the Ocean State Vintage Haulers 28th Annual Show and is proudly presented by the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Truck Haulers Society.

It will be held this Sunday, June 5, inside the Johnston Jewel — a.k.a. War Memorial Park — that’s located off Route 6 with the main entrance on Memorial Drive and will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring a host of trucks from a bygone era, vintage heavy haulers as well as some of the most impressive antique fire engines and apparatus from all around New England.

Admission is, as it has been for the past 27 years, free and there will be a full-blown concession stand for families and children as well as a raffle table where event-goers can purchase the show’s always colorful signature T-shirts.

However, Sunday’s “Super Special Show”, as the unique club’s members want it known, will differ greatly from any of the Ocean State Vintage Haulers 27 spring shows or the group’s highly-popular fall steak fry/barbecue round-up that’s held every October at Ron Rossi’s famed Christmas Tree Farm in Cranston.

That’s because this Sunday’s Ocean State Vintage Haulers Antique Truck Show will be a memorial — make that mighty memorial — dedicated to the group’s late and highly-popular President Joseph Pingitore III, who passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 25, 2021, at the tender age of 60 years old.

“We all think about Joe every day!” exclaimed Ron Rossi, who succeeded his beloved friend as president. “Joe was one of a kind; a class act, a true gentleman who loved everyone, especially and was always the driving force behind the success of the Ocean State Vintage Haulers Association.”

Pingitore III founded Pingitore & Sons Construction/Paving Company in 1985. He loved riding his motorcycle in various charity and benefit events and doing as much as he possibly could for his three sons — Joseph Pingitore IV, Dylan Pingitore and Dylan Pingitore — sister Francine Pingitore and brother David David Pingitore, a long-time Johnston Firefighter who serves as Secretary-Treasurer of Local 1350.

“People always say you can count your friends on one hand,” offered Richard Quetta, a North Providence resident who owns a vintage fire truck that will be on display Sunday and is memorial to his late brother Frank J. Quetta, who was once a Battalion Chief with the Providence Fire Department. “As for Joe, I never-ever met anyone who didn’t like or love Joe or for that matter call him their friend.”

Which explains why President Ron Rossi, Vice President David Pingitore, Secretary Margaret Philbrook and OSVH members are expecting a record crowed to pay tribute and honor a man who made countless contributions to his fellow men and women before his life was cut far too short.