Dump trucks, fire trucks, ambulances, police cars, tow trucks – all of these and more are needed to keep a city running, and each was on display as part of Crown Point’s annual Touch-a-Truck event. The event allows children to get hands on with the essential vehicles they often see, but rarely get to touch.
Hosted at the Crown Point Sportsplex on Sunday, September 15, Touch-a-Truck is a longstanding tradition for the Hub City.
“We have been hosting this event for more than 20 years now,” Crown Point Parks Director Jennie Burgess said. “It is so well attended and it is for kids of all ages.”
The vehicle lineup changes each year but it is always packed with interesting options for children to climb in, pose with, and learn more about. The star of this year’s lineup was Lake County Sheriff’s Department’s helicopter, and other attendees included Crown Point Police, Fire, EMA, and Public Works, as well as NWI S.W.A.T, Republic Services, Midnight Blue Towing & Recovery, Crown Point Community School Corporation, and South Shore CVA.
“We have had such great support from all our city departments, Lake County Sheriff’s Department, Crown Point Community Schools, and local businesses to help make this day a continued success,” Burgess said. “We really could not do it without them.”
South Shore CVA set up next to the main entrance of the event, greeting attendees with goodie bags and candy. Its team members make a point to tour as many events as possible but are pointed more to ones such as Touch-a-Truck as particularly special.
“It’s a fantastic time getting to see the kids explore all these different avenues, especially with the helicopter coming down - that was a nice surprise,” Jerry Jackson, a South Shore CVA team member, said. “It’s really nice to be able to connect with the community, give out some cool stuff, and help out in whatever way we can.”
Crown Point Fire Department’s fire engine also proved popular with the children, with many taking a turn to sit in the truck’s driver seat. Fire Lieutenant Anthony Flynn explained that Touch-a-Truck holds a special place in his heart due to personal experience.
“Giving the kids a tour of the truck really makes their day and it makes our day too,” he said. “I was one of those kids that got to come out to events like these. I’d see the firefighters and always knew I wanted to be one myself. Seeing these kids get up here and get excited, you think that maybe one day they’ll want to be a firefighter too.”
Whatever path they choose, children will carry some of the memories they made at Touch-a-Truck for years to come.
To learn more about the City of Crown Point and to keep up with all of its events, visit crownpoint.in.gov.
