Monster Jam Summer Heat has taken over many cities across the US in a major way. Some people are planning their vacations around it to attend at least 1 show, while others are getting out to events that aren't usually so close to home. One family, the Castellano's from Hoffman Estates, IL, found a creative way to enjoy a weekend of monsterous fun in 3 different cities. John, Debbie, and 5 1/2 year old Dominick spent the weekend of June 18-20th with Dennis Anderson, Gary Porter, Jim Kohler, and several other USHRA stars. What started out as a fun Father's Day gift for Dad, turned into an unforgettable weekend for the whole family! We talked to Debbie Castellano about the entire trip and what made them decide to do it. Check this out:

Who all went on the trip with you?
Myself, my husband John, and my 5 ½ year old son, Dominick

What time did you leave Hoffman Estates and what was the journey like?
We woke up at about 3:30 AM on Friday morning and left at about 5 AM. We headed to Quincy with a few stops here and there. We went straight to the track and got there at about 10:30 AM. After we purchased our tickets we took some pictures of the trucks. We asked someone if we could go back to the back and see Gary Porter and the Grave Digger truck, but were told no one is allowed back there.

Dominick was covered in Grave Digger gear from his clothes to his hat to his shoes! Jokingly, I told the guy to tell Gary Porter that Dominick is here to see him. He must have thought I was crazy but he did it anyway! Gary said to bring us all back there. They let Dominick into his trailer and Gary even gave him a Monster Jam t-shirt. We also got autographs and took more pictures. We had taken our die cast trucks with and they autographed those for us too. He even let Dominick get into the truck and strapped him in!

It was just such a wonderful experience. Especially because we weren't going to be there for the pit party, it was almost like we had our own private party. The show was fabulous and everything was great.

We stayed overnight in Quincy at a hotel and left in the morning at about 11 AM. This show was a little more difficult because we didn't have pit passes but we wanted to get into the pit party! We found a police officer who directed us to the Purcell Tires (the pit pass location) and we stopped over there to pick up our free pit passes. We drove around the grounds to find out where the trucks would be and get an idea of the area. My son was so excited because he saw Dennis out there. Then we went back and checked into our hotel and relaxed until it was time for pit party.

The party was phenomenal. When Dennis saw Dominick (head to toe in his Digger gear), he said "Wait a minute!! You come here…I want a picture with you." My son was so excited! He got tons of pictures. I took 2 whole rolls of film of just Dennis with Dominick!

We've been going to Monster Jams for about 1 ½ years now. I have to say that each driver is nicer than the next. We've always had great experiences and everyone has been over accommodating and nice.

We went to the show which was incredible. Dennis stole the show and everything was great.

Then we left at 5 AM (again waking up at 3:30 AM) for Kalamazoo. We got to Kalamazoo at about 11:30 AM which was just about a ½ hour before the pit party. At this show, I was just as excited as my son because I am a HUGE Jim Kohler fan. We saw some people walking around as we went in. The first guy I ran into was none other than the Avenger driver himself Jim Kohler! He could tell I'm a fan because he came up and gave me a hug. Then my son spotted Digger driver, Jason Childress. After that we saw Brutus driver, Chris Bergeron. There's an interesting story behind the Brutus Driver and my son. At the Indianapolis Monster Jam, Matt Steele interviewed Dominick who said after Grave Digger his 2nd favorite truck is Brutus. Apparently one of Chris' friends called him and told him about it. Well when Chris saw him, he asked Dominick for his autograph! It was so great.

My son is a real ham about all this and loves the attention. In Springfield, for example, he told everyone Dennis was his dad.

Dominick was also hanging out with Jocelyn Perrin's (Lil' Miss Dangerous) daughter. Finally, we sat down and watched the show. To our complete surprise, they announced that we traveled to all the shows during live event. It was such a reception for all of us. My husband said it was the best Father's Day he ever had that he will never ever forget it as long as he live.

I have nothing but good things to say about Clear Channel and USHRA because everything was so great! I really have nothing but good things to say about everyone and I am just nothing but pleased.

What made you decide to make a road trip of this?
What happened was this…

We always like to follow Dennis and find out where he will be. We saw the event listing for Dennis in Springfield, and so I asked my husband what he wanted to do for Father's Day. After talking about it, I said what do you think about this: How about going to Springfield Monster Jam? So he went to USHRA.com and asked me where is Quincy, IL. I looked at a map and saw that it would be close to Springfield so I asked him if he wanted to go to both shows? He got on line again and notices the listing for Kalamazoo, MI. When he told me Avenger would be there I said well then that's my Mothers Day present!

So then it became: Quincy for Gary Porter…Springfield for Dennis… & Kalamazoo for Jim Koehler!

My husband didn't believe that I wanted to do that, but I went online and looked it up on mapquest and got our hotels and everything. We've been going through some rough times lately with a death in the family and so this was really exactly what we all needed. I'm so glad we didn't cancel it all like we almost planned to do.

Have you ever done anything like this before?
Not so many events in 1 weekend, no. We have gone to several shows however! One time we went to Milwaukee and we didn't read the ticket and pit passes right. We showed up on to the Friday show and wanted to go to the pit party but the pit party was on Saturday and you have to have a Saturday event ticket to go, so we just decided to go again on Saturday doing back to back shows.

The traveling part of the trip is definitely something we have never done before. That was a world record for us. We used to travel a lot in the past, but not since Dominick was born. His interest is monster trucks and so we said we're gonna do it with him. Sometimes we enjoy it even more than him!

At Monster Jam, I'm like a little kid. I feel like I'm reborn again.

How many Monster Jam events have you been to this year so far?
In 2004 so far, 10-12 events! Most of which were in January and February.

What was the farthest one?
Minneapolis on Thanksgiving weekend. We drove through a white out from all the snow and ice. We were praying the whole way that we would get there in one piece. It was probably the most dangerous too. We went to see Dennis!

Who is the biggest fan in your household?
My son is the biggest fan, then second would be my husband then me. Dominick can tell you everything about them.

How many miles did you drive total this past weekend?
About 1100 miles total.

What was the highlight of your trip?
I don't want to show favoritism. The welcome we received between Dennis' welcome to us and Gary Porter's private party for us was great, but Clear Channel making us feel so special, like celebrities, was really the highlight. It was so important to my son and my husband, which is really why it was so important to me. Truly I'd have to say that Clear Channel made it worth every mile that we traveled!

Finally - Which show was all around the best?
I don't want to say that Dennis didn't do a great job or that Avenger didn't do a great job because they really did, but overall I would have to say Quincy was the best. From performances to just everything, the interaction with the crowd, all the trucks, the other performances during the show, I have to give Quincy #1. Not having anything to do with the drivers or the way they drove, just everything else, all the show elements were excellent! It was never ending entertainment, and that's what you look for.

The announcer in Kalamazoo made me feel like a queen. He made us all feel so special. We weren't looking for any attention, but they recognized us and made us feel like we accomplished something. We did it because we love the drivers, we love the shows, and we love pleasing our son. When he's doing good in school or anything else, I have no problem with rewards and Monster Jam is the best way!

We are already planning on going to the Digger's Dungeon in North Carolina in August to see Dennis again!



CHECK OUT THE CASTELLANO FAMILY PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE TRIP! CLICK HERE...