Sep 15, 2016 2 min read

WAYNESBURG – Children love trucks, and what could be better than a whole parking lot full of them they can not only touch, but climb into if they wish.

Children will have that chance from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 24 at the sixth annual Touch-A-Truck event in the parking lot of the First Baptist Church of Waynesburg

Sponsored by the church, the event allows children a close-up look at a variety of vehicles, including a fire truck, police car, tractor, backhoe, crane, tow truck, dump truck, ambulance and more.

“We’ll probably have every bit of 30 different kinds of vehicles,” said Dawn Mankey, the event coordinator.

“Children will be allowed to get in, honk the horn or run the siren,” she said. “The kids love it. They really look forward to it every year.”

Last year, more than 700 children stopped by to check out the vehicles, Mankey said.

The event is actually for the whole family, she said. Families are encouraged to come and bring a blanket to sit on while they enjoy their picnic lunches.

The event features free food for everyone in attendance, music, photo booths, face painting and games.

Children 12 and younger also will receive free T-shirts, while supplies last, and chances to win prizes in several prize giveaways. Grand prizes will include a Steelers Power Wheels ride-on toy for children 5 and younger and a hoverboard for children 6 to 12.

The church began Touch-A-Truck in 2011 to provide an activity for children.

“It’s just something for the community,” Mankey said. “There doesn’t seem to be a lot of activities for kids to do.”

None of the people, businesses and organizations that bring vehicles to the event for the kids to touch is paid. An attendant is at each vehicle to ensure the children’s safety.

“These people are giving up their Saturday for the community,” she said.

The event couldn’t be held without the many sponsors, Mankey said, and this year, the church received strong support from several local businesses.

There are also the many volunteers needed to pull off the event. Mankey organizes Touch-A-Truck each year but members of the church’s congregation help out.

“It’s a ton of work, but when the day comes, it’s very joyful to see how much the kids appreciate it,” she said.