A 45 year holiday tradition continues as the 2009 Hess toy truck officially hit the shelves Friday. This year the truck isn't a truck at all.
Hess gas stations have been selling the collectible trucks since 1964.
The people at the Hess station in Stroudsburg have been selling them since it opened in 1971 and since they are the only Hess station in Monroe County, people come from all over northeast and central Pennsylvania to get one.
"They come from the Scranton area, Wilkes Barre. They'll take them for their neighbors. They come from as far as Williamsport. This is usually the first station they hit before they head south," said station owner George Palencar.
This year the Hess truck is actually not a truck at all it's a race car.
People said it's not about what the Hess truck is, it's more about family tradition.
"My dad started it and he lives in Ohio and there is no Hess near him so I come and get them every year for him," said Carol Savo of Saylorsburg.
The Stroudsburg Hess station will receive thousands of the Hess trucks and owners said they expect them to be all gone in the next two to three weeks.
That explains the steady flow of customers stopping by and picking up the 45th anniversary Hess truck.
"I was worried there wasn't any here because usually I am here at 7 a.m. but I had to work today," Savo added.
One thing is for sure. The tradition is likely to continue next year when most of the same people will be back when the 2010 Hess truck goes on sale.
Hess gas stations have been selling the collectible trucks since 1964.
The people at the Hess station in Stroudsburg have been selling them since it opened in 1971 and since they are the only Hess station in Monroe County, people come from all over northeast and central Pennsylvania to get one.
"They come from the Scranton area, Wilkes Barre. They'll take them for their neighbors. They come from as far as Williamsport. This is usually the first station they hit before they head south," said station owner George Palencar.
This year the Hess truck is actually not a truck at all it's a race car.
People said it's not about what the Hess truck is, it's more about family tradition.
"My dad started it and he lives in Ohio and there is no Hess near him so I come and get them every year for him," said Carol Savo of Saylorsburg.
The Stroudsburg Hess station will receive thousands of the Hess trucks and owners said they expect them to be all gone in the next two to three weeks.
That explains the steady flow of customers stopping by and picking up the 45th anniversary Hess truck.
"I was worried there wasn't any here because usually I am here at 7 a.m. but I had to work today," Savo added.
One thing is for sure. The tradition is likely to continue next year when most of the same people will be back when the 2010 Hess truck goes on sale.
