Kids of all ages will have the chance to explore a variety of big rigs at the seventh annual Touch-a-Truck event, scheduled for Saturday, June 14, from 10 a.m. to noon in the parking lot by Volunteer Park.

The popular event allows attendees to get up close with work vehicles, including fire trucks, police cars, bulldozers and dump trucks. And there is the possibility that attendees will be able to take a look at a helicopter too.

The event is free.

Parks and Recreation Coordinator Devyn Johnson, who began organizing the annual event in 2018, said her decision was motivated by realizing that some children aren’t able to see such vehicles up close and in person.

She said she was inspired after her sister told her about a similar display in eastern Washington state. With her husband working for the fire department and in construction, Johnson realized her own children had unique access to such vehicles and wanted to share that opportunity with the wider community.

“My husband’s on the fire department and he works in construction,” she said. “My kids get to experience these types of vehicles regularly, but there are a lot of kids who don’t have that opportunity.”

This year, Johnson is hopeful that the U.S. Coast Guard will be able to participate with a rescue helicopter, an addition she has sought for several years and was able to obtain last year. Any helicopter display would be contingent on emergency response needs.

“We won’t really know for sure if they can come until the day of the event,” she noted. “And, of course, if there is an emergency call, they will have to leave.”

For those sensitive to loud noises, a sensory hour will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., during which all vehicles will remain silent. The inclusion of the sensory hour was started at last year’s event. After the sensory hour, from 11 a.m. to noon, sirens and horns will be permitted to sound. Hearing protection will be available for attendees.

Johnson said the volunteers who provide the vehicles for the event are “the real rock stars.”

“None of this could happen without the volunteers,” she remarked. “We’re hoping to have between 15 to 20 vehicles.”

For more information, contact Parks and Recreation at 907-874-2444.