Children of all ages will get the opportunity to explore an assortment of trucks and other service vehicles on Saturday, June 20, during the annual Touch-a-Truck event.

The gathering will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot next to Volunteer Park. Attendees can climb inside and inspect bulldozers, dump trucks, police cruisers and fire engines. Organizers note there is also a strong chance a helicopter will make an appearance.

“The Coast Guard has said they will be coming, pending weather and if they aren’t doing a search and rescue,” said Parks and Recreation Coordinator Devyn Johnson. “So far it looks like they’ll be there and they will bring a helicopter.”

There is no admission fee for the community event.

Johnson first launched the event in 2018 after realizing that many local children rarely get the chance to experience these major work vehicles firsthand.

The idea struck her after her sister mentioned a similar truck display in eastern Washington state. Because Johnson’s husband works in both construction and for the fire department, she knew her own kids had special access to heavy machinery and wanted to extend that same privilege to other families across the community.

To accommodate individuals who are sensitive to loud noises, the final 60 minutes of the event will feature a sensory hour — no horns. From noon to 1 p.m., all operators will refrain from sounding horns or sirens. Organizers added this quiet hour to the program last year.

This summer’s event will also expand to feature community vendors for the first time.

“AP&T will be there with things like hats and stickers, Kalee Herman will be selling royalty tickets and Head Start will be there selling cotton candy,” Johnson said. L&L Captain and Crew will sell hot dogs and burgers.

“It’s exciting to have this kind of growth. It means we’re taking things to the next level.”

For additional details, residents can call Parks and Recreation at 907-874-2444.