06/08/2025
Fundraiser to Honor Hayden Jay Ryel with Scholarship at Two-Day Truck Show
A special two-day event is set to roll into Enid this weekend in memory of Hayden Jay Ryel. The HJR Showdown, a car and truck show, will be held Friday and Saturday, August 8–9, at the Chisholm Trail Expo Center, 111 W Purdue, Enid. The show will run from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. both days, bringing together the truck community, family, and friends to celebrate Hayden’s life and raise funds for a scholarship in his name.
Hayden, a 2022 graduate of Hennessey High School, worked at Thurmond and proudly served as a volunteer firefighter in Dover. Known for his big heart and passion for helping others, Hayden was also an avid outdoorsman who loved goose hunting, mud bogging with family, and bringing joy to those around him.
A familiar face at truck shows and on TikTok, Hayden was determined to make a name for himself by customizing his pickup and sharing his journey online. His goal of becoming “TikTok famous” was just one example of his determined spirit and love for life.
Hayden passed away on October 16, 2024, in Marshall, Illinois, at the age of 20. Born in Enid on July 1, 2004, his memory continues to inspire those who knew him.
The HJR Showdown is being organized by Shyla Miller, Hayden’s girlfriend, with support from family, friends, and the broader truck enthusiast community. Proceeds from the event will go toward establishing a scholarship in Hayden’s honor, ensuring that his legacy of kindness, hard work, and community service lives on.
For more details, you may go to the website hjrshowdown.com
