D.J. Goudreau of St. Ignace marks his 10th year as a volunteer judge for the annual Richard Crane Memorial Big Rig Truck Show this weekend. As big rigs and tankers arrive in St. Ignace this weekend, 28 judges will scrutinize the vehicles, inspecting paint, lights, examining engines, and exploring their unique interior designs and amenities.

Judging begins for the 13th annual Richard Crane Big Rig Truck Show about 6 p.m. Friday, September 12, and concludes Saturday, usually by 4 p.m.

For the last 10 years, D.J. Goudreau of St. Ignace has been one of volunteer judges. Ed Reavie, truck show organizer, recruited him for the job.

"Trucks are big and hard to ignore," said Mr. Goudreau. "They do command some attention automatically."

More than seeing just a large truck rolling down the highway, he said, judges look at specifics of each vehicle. There are different manufacturers and different uses.

Each category is scored by three judges, and the scores are averaged. Three winners are named in each category.

People coming to the St. Ignace show, Mr. Goudreau said, will see unique vehicles. Some have custom interiors and one-of-a-kind murals airbrushed on cabs and trailers, and almost all are working vehicles out on the road each day hauling goods to manufacturers, warehouses, and stores.

"These folks come up, wash their vehicles, clean them up, polish them, get them ready for this show," he said, "and sometimes by Sunday afternoon, they are going back to work."

Over the last few years, Mr. Goudreau has judged engines and interiors. He considers condition and cleanliness and looks for a distinguishing element that makes the truck stand out over other trucks.

For interiors, an interesting feature that has become popular in the last few years, he said, is custom wood flooring. Custom upholstery continues to be a favorite of truck owners and enthusiasts. Special details, such as curtains and finishes, can add class to the interior.

"There are some that truly excel at carrying out that mission of having the most beautiful truck on the road," he said.

For engines, he first looks at cleanliness, and then special touches. Some truck owners will add chrome details and tie together or put electrical wires in a colorful conduit to give a clean and tidy appearance.

The presentation, said Mr. Goudreau, is important.

Judges see different levels of maintenance.

"Some are always squeaky clean, nice," he said, "and, of course, some are a little less than that."

When a new truck enters the show, said Mr. Goudreau, judging becomes more difficult, as it is compared to other trucks that have many working miles and hours of use.

Theme trucks are interesting and creative, he said, and some owners will even dress to match the artwork painted on the vehicle. He remembers a truck at a previous show that was decorated to look like a casino, and the owners dressed as casino employees.

"That's the kind of thing that really makes them different," said Mr. Goudreau, "the schemes, the paint, the themes, and most of all, the people."

The attraction of displaying a truck in the show, he said, is the owner's pride in their vehicle.

As many of the drivers live in their vehicles, the judges are seeing more home-like amenities, including television, microwaves, and refrigerators. He also sees custom interior lighting.

The show, he said offers people the rare opportunity to look at the interior of the cabs.

"They're very, very well maintained," he said. "You'd never know anyone sat in them."

As a judge, he has the opportunity to talk with drivers about their trucks and also about their travels.

The St. Ignace show is popular among drivers, and many bring families and vacation here, which makes the show more personal, said Mr. Goudreau. It offers the local judges an opportunity to serve as ambassadors to the community.

"I always thought that being a judge at this show is kind of a privilege," he said.

Other local judges include Jason Soblasky, Phil Schnicke, Tayler Schnicke, and Lee Ortman.

The St. Ignace show, organized by Nostalgia Productions of St. Ignace, is on a circuit as one of about six shows of the National Association of Show Trucks. Drivers earn points at each show based on judging. At the end of the show season, the national winners are announced.