Sirens were blaring and a wide range of emergency lights illuminated downtown Moose Jaw on Sept. 9, as the second annual "Touch a Truck" event kicked off.
The event was free of charge and provided children a fun outing and the chance to see a wide variety of emergency and construction vehicles up close. “
It’s just a fun event for the children and their families,” said Christine Boyczuk, event organizer and co-ordinator with the Moose Jaw Literacy Network.
The event took place at the Moose Jaw Events Centre along First Avenue Northwest from 11 a.m. to 3 .p.m and included indoor and outdoor displays. Unlike a typical car show, children had the opportunity to climb aboard, meet the operator, and even had the chance to honk the horn and turn on the emergency lights.
Outdoor displays ranged from a police cruiser to an ambulance, semi tractors, and farm equipment.
“Inside, Ag West has different activities planned for kids that they can participate in,” Boyczuk explained. “The kids have loved those, and they love being able to get up close and personal with the vehicles that are here.”
“The children have really enjoyed the activities in the trucks, and the drivers have been so wonderful at developing activities the children can participate in,” she added.
Children who attended also received a free book courtesy of the Moose Jaw Literacy Network, and as they went from display to display, each separate company had the opportunity to provide a few free items that children could collect and take home.
Attendance at the event had been steady, and event organizers received a lot of positive feedback from children and their families. “This was our second full year for Touch a Truck, and we think it has exceeded what we had last year,” said Boyczuk.
Touch a Truck was sponsored by the Moose Jaw Early Years Family Resource Centre, along with partner organizations who helped make the event a possibility.
“The Early Years Coalition tries to increase the programs and activities for young children and their families. We also try and assist people who are working with them… we try to educate and increase the activities for the young children in our neighbourhoods,” Boyczuk said.
The Moose Jaw Early Years Family Resource Centre is located at 1250 Eleventh Avenue Northwest and can be reached at 306-691-0202.
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