National Ugly Truck Day

National Ugly Truck Day is a quirky celebration dedicated to those less-than-beautiful trucks that have character, charm, and stories to tell. Whether factory-made or battle-worn, these vehicles get their moment in the spotlight.

Quick Facts

When is it?: July 20th annually
Tagged as: Celebration of unique and distinctive trucks
What’s the hashtag?: #NationalUglyTruckDay
When was it founded?: Traced back to at least 1996
Who founded it?: Origins unclear, started as local contests

History

The celebration began as local contests across various U.S. cities, from Fayetteville, North Carolina to Albany, Oregon. What started as small community events grew into a nationwide celebration of characterful trucks that prioritize function over form.

Timeline

• 1925: Commercial trucks become widely available
• 1936: Term “ugly truck” emerges in popular culture
• 1950s: Term gains recognition through advertising
• 1970s: Ugly trucks develop a cult following
• 1996: First documented ugly truck contests
• 2016: Celebration gains significant online presence

Dates by Next Year

Year	Month	Date	Day
2024	July	20	Saturday
2025	July	20	Sunday
2026	July	20	Monday

Observed

The day is celebrated through local contests, social media sharing, and community events where proud owners showcase their uniquely unattractive vehicles.

Fun Facts About Ugly Trucks

• Many “ugly” trucks are customized or retrofitted for specific purposes
• Some trucks earn their “ugly” status through years of loyal service
• Local contests often award prizes for the most distinctive vehicles
• The charm of what qualifies as “ugly” is entirely subjective

Quiz

When is National Ugly Truck Day celebrated?
What decade did ugly trucks develop a cult following?
In which state was one of the first contests held?
-(Answers: 1. July 20th, 2. 1970s, 3. North Carolina)