Children laughed and looked on in awe as the Bigfoot monster truck crushed yet another car in yet another show in Victoria British Columbia 13 years ago. What those kids didn’t know is that young Darron Schnell was driving the truck for the first time that afternoon and having the time of his life – all because the regularly scheduled driver was sick.

        “My first time was sort of an accident” said Schnell, 32. “I was 19 and crewing for the truck when the driver got sick, but I was more than happy to take the risk and fill in.”

Schnell has been driving the Firestone Bigfoot truck all over North America since June, 2008. He has come to Scottdale to perform in the Fall Festival for three years running and is reminded of his Missouri hometown by the area.

        “I like the small town feel, and the people are awesome,” said Schnell.  “It’s fun to come back and see the same faces every year, a luxury I don’t normally have.”

        Schnell was born in Sturgis, South Dakota and has dreamed of being a professional driver since he was very young. However, it doesn’t come without its drawbacks.

        “My father, little brother, and I are all gearheads at heart. I grew up around it so I’m sort of living my childhood dream,” said Schnell. “It does limit my ability to have kids though with being on the road 210 to 230 days a year.”

        Schnell’s family is extremely wary of him having such a risky career. This past November he rolled the truck while attempting to jump three school buses and the truck then caught fire. Schnell was unhurt but his mother became physically ill from watching the accident and hasn’t come to a show since.

        “My pre-show ritual hasn’t changed though,” said Schnell. “They turn on the truck with a remote ignition control and I say a little Shepherd’s prayer inside my helmet.”

        Aside from being a Bigfoot driver, Schnell enjoys riding Harley Davidson motorcycles and reading in his free time on the road. He also has a passion for travelling, but lucky for him that comes with the job.

“I think it’s great that they make the time to send a driver out every year.” said Jim Mongell, manager of Mongell Tire, where the truck is kept each year during the fall festival. “Darron especially is a great guy, and the kids always seem to love him.”

Schnell hopes to continue driving until he decides to have kids and plans on bringing the big blue truck back to Scottdale every year because “Bigfoot is the original and the best!”