MOOSE JAW — On Saturday, Sept. 7, you can revisit your childhood curiosities and bring your kids to the third annual Touch a Truck event held at the Moose Jaw Events Centre. At the event, children will see a wide variety of vehicles, climb aboard, honk the horn, and meet the people who operate them.
The event runs from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and admission is free for families with attending children who are eight years old or younger.
“We’re celebrating National and International Literacy Day… with an event for children to learn new things and learn in a new way,” explained Christine Boyczuk, the literacy co-ordinator for the Moose Jaw Literacy Network that helped plan the original event.
“The whole idea with children is that they (get to) experience really interesting things with their families,” she continued. “(I)t’s (something) kids would otherwise not get to do — for example, being in an ambulance or the inside of a police car.”
All activities are geared toward boys and girls with an interest in everything mechanical.
Local businesses and organizations have an opportunity to engage with the community and leave a positive, lasting impression with youths. Any local organization with a vehicle is invited to sign up and registration is free of charge. Promotional materials and free swag are also welcome.
The event differs from a car show in that it allows you to interact with the vehicles, rather than having them remain on static display. From loader buckets curling to engines revving and sirens blaring, children can see how various pieces of equipment work right from the operator’s seat.
To enhance learning, there’ll be fun and interactive games on site and children will receive a free book courtesy of the Moose Jaw Literacy Network and the Early Years Family Resource Centre.
Last year’s event was “fantastic,” according to Boyczuk. She said that around 37 of the projected 40 vehicles attended and, following the event, a survey accessed through a provided QR code confirmed “a lot of very positive feedback.” A similar feedback channel is planned for this year as well.
If you’re looking to register, categories include emergency and military vehicles, commercial and construction equipment, farm equipment, and any unique, rare, or novelty vehicles.
Emergency vehicles will include police cruisers, firetrucks, and ambulances; commercial and construction equipment includes dump trucks, cement mixers, and 18-wheelers among others; farm equipment includes tractors and plows; rare or unique vehicles can include anything from limousines to monster trucks to antique cars and trucks.
“There might be a surprise display (this year), but I can’t say what it is at this point,” Boyczuk announced. “(Each year) we try to do something different from what we’ve had before.
“Hopefully the kids and parents will come out and have a great time,” she concluded.
For children with sensory concerns, event organizers will address this by turning lights and sirens off between 2:30 to 3:00 p.m. for sensory sensitive time.
Event organizers also wish to remind parents that children who attend must be accompanied by an adult.
Touch a Truck is hosted by the Moose Jaw Early Years Family Resource Centre and is sponsored by the Moose Jaw and District Early Years Coalition, the Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce, the Moose Jaw Literacy Network, and the Moose Jaw Public Library.
To register your vehicle or for further information, contact Wanda Peakman at 306-691-0202 or Christine Boyczuk at 306-693-0609.
The Moose Jaw Events Centre is located at 110 First Avenue Northwest and the event will once again be held on the east side of the building facing First Avenue.
