The iconic Kenworth W900 model – a symbol of American trucking culture since 1963 – was celebrated during the annual Kenworth Truck Parade in Chillicothe, Ohio.

The Ohio city has a 51-year connection with the local Kenworth truck assembly plant and this years’ event was the fourth annual parade in the heart of downtown Chillicothe.

The parade featured more than 50 new, classic and customised Kenworth trucks from all over the United States. The highlights included a vintage 1923 Kenworth – built the year the company was founded – models from the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, through to present day trucks manufactured at the Chillicothe plant.

“The Kenworth truck parade has become a special Ross County community tradition,” says Jack Schmitt, Kenworth Chillicothe assistant plant manager.

“The event wouldn’t be possible without the drivers who travel to Chillicothe to share their passion for Kenworth trucks, or without the community support that makes this parade a successful event each year.”

As part of Kenworth’s tribute to the storied history of the classic W900, the last truck in the parade was the newly introduced W900 Legacy Edition, which pays homage to the model series in its final full year in production.

Kenworth announced earlier this year that the W900 will be phased out of production from 2026 

Leading up to the truck parade, the Kenworth Chillicothe plant held events at its facility for drivers and their families participating in and attending the parade. Drivers had an opportunity to tour the Kenworth Chillicothe plant to see where many of Kenworth’s trucks are built. The plant also hosted an employee family event on the plant’s property during the day of the parade. 

The Kenworth Chillicothe plant opened in 1974 and is located on a 48-hectare site which is 80km south of Columbus, Ohio.

The 57,000 square-metre plant features advanced manufacturing technologies, including robotic assembly, and a state-of-the-art paint facility that utilises the latest technology in the industry. Since 2018, Kenworth has invested nearly US$400 million in the Chillicothe plant.