Northern Showdown 2025: Trucks, Community, and Heart

Staff Photos . November 20, 2025 . Events

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Community, Charity, and Custom Trucks

While Street Trucks editors didn’t make it across the border this time, the scene in Binbrook, Ontario, Canada, still found its way to us. Thanks to our friend Phil Cholette for being our boots-on-the-ground reporter for the event. The August 16th, 2025, Northern Showdown was open to all makes and models, but the lot leaned heavy on custom trucks—exactly our kind of Saturday. With Canada’s show season packed into a short window, there were a few competing events the same day, yet 150+ rides rolled in and put on a strong showing.

Hosted by members of Relaxed Atmosphere, along with their families and friends, the vibe was simple: park, hang, and support the community. Clubs in the mix included Acrophobia, 2nd Glance, Disorderly Conduct, and Low Class Customz—plenty of familiar banners if you follow the scene. The car and truck limbo contest kept folks crowd-side and smiling, and the show field had that “walk five feet, stop, and talk” energy all day.

What mattered most was that this year’s event ran with purpose. The show regularly donates to local causes like Make-A-Wish and area food banks, but 2025 was personal. $2,500 USD was raised for Phil Gordon, a longtime automotive photographer who is fighting health issues. Many of you know Phil from past features and show coverage; he’s one of ours. The show’s dedication to him says everything about this community.

Awards were deep with Top 50 honors, plus hand-crafted pieces donated by builders and sponsors. Robinson Family Customs handed out Best Rat Rod and Best Interior awards. Philbuilt Designs put its name on the ihatephil Choice and the Kevin Crowhurst Memorial awards. Backyard Art covered Best Graphics, and CCF Customs named the Best of Show winner. Other sponsors backing the day included CanTuk, Thorne Customs, Harrington Built, Honey Seal, Perfectly Crystaled, Disorderly Conduct, Country Graphix, Castrol, and Flathead Apparel—a solid list that helped make it happen.

Standouts? Mike Householder’s Toyota grabbed the CanTuk Choice award (repping EVIL out of Michigan), Carson Phelps’ Ram took Best Full-Size, Eugene Tendean’s C10 Eileen earned Philbuilt Designs Choice, and Adam Lewis’ Ranger scored the ihatephil Choice, as it was picked by Phil himself from Florida via text chain. That’s heart.

Word is 2026 planning is already underway, with goals to grow. We’re grateful to everyone who pitched in and to Phil Cholette for the field report. To the Binbrook crew: you built a show that puts people first. To Phil Gordon: the scene is with you.

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