Ocean State Vintage Haulers gather for truck show at Rossi’s Tree Farm

Pete Fontaine
Posted 10/8/15

The huge trucks that pulled into Rossi’s Tree Farm at 1936 Phenix Ave. Sunday weren’t there to pick up a load of specially grown Christmas trees.

They carried a number of people, from family …

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Ocean State Vintage Haulers gather for truck show at Rossi’s Tree Farm

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The huge trucks that pulled into Rossi’s Tree Farm at 1936 Phenix Ave. Sunday weren’t there to pick up a load of specially grown Christmas trees.

They carried a number of people, from family members to friends, and were at Ron Rossi’s multi-acre farm in Western Cranston to enjoy the fun, food and fellowship that have become trademarks of a unique non-profit organization known as the Ocean State Vintage Haulers, which is the local chapter of the American Truck Historical Society.

The owners of all types of old-time and new trucks – from those famed Macks to ageless military vehicles – parked in show-type fashion on the gloriously green and freshly-mowed green grass that people of all ages admired throughout the sun-covered afternoon.

There were also new and old tractors – of all sizes and shapes – but one in particular caught the fancy and eye of RJ Fratus, 4, who simply climbed into the driver’s seat as if he was going to plow a portion of the spacious farm that’s noted for its award-winning homegrown Christmas trees.

With many onlookers admiring the red tractor, Fratus smiled and grabbed hold of the steering wheel and made like he was driving through the Rossi Free Farm fields.

Meanwhile, his father Rick Fratus and his friend Tracey Dubois stood by and smiled while RJ enjoyed every minute of his moment in the spotlight.

Soon thereafter, RJ and company were off to get some grub that the Joe Pingitore-led antique truck club is known for, especially at Sunday’s Fall Barbeque and Truck Round-up.

“We’re starting today’s menu with hot dogs and hamburgers,” said Pingitore, who owns and operates J. Pingitore & Sons Haulers of Johnston. “Later on we’ll get into the chicken and steaks … Ron and me are doing the cooking.”

Pingitore was assisted by his son, Dylan Pingitore, a standout pitcher with Rhode Island College’s baseball Anchormen who threw a no-hitter this past spring. For “Joe Ping,” Sunday was a family affair, first with his son and brother Dave, a Johnston firefighter, and later with members of the antique truck club.

“We have our annual show in June,” said Pingitore, who serves as president of the Ocean State Vintage Haulers. “Today is all about our members, their families and friends.”

And as Pingitore said while he and Rossi put more hot dogs on the large propane grill: “We’ve got a good turnout, we’ve got a nice showing of vintage trucks, and most of all, a lot of good people enjoying a great Sunday afternoon barbeque and each other’s on-going friendships.”

Moreover, all those folks showing their vintage antique trucks – and tractors – that were as much of a hit with kids like RJ Fratus as the steak dinners with all the fixings were for each and every vintage antique truck hauler and admirers.

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