Touch a Truck!!

We were thrilled to be in town for Roanoke County Parks and Recreation's Touch a Truck at Green Hill Park.  We surprised Elijah with a visit, and at age 4, he thoroughly enjoyed it and firmly requested we come back next year.  The free-admission event is exactly what the name implies--a day when vehcles of all types park on the spacious fields and kids are allowed to explore them.  It's become an annual event and is apparently the largest such event on the East Coast.  As Elijah was quick to indicate, there were more vehicles to touch than trucks.  Among his favorites were a police car, a Red Cross 18-wheeler with a kitchen on board, and an inmate transport vehicle.  There were ambuances, firetrucks, cranes, SWAT vehicles, a VDOT snowblower...even a utility bucket truck that lifted volunteers in the air.  With about 100 vehicles, it was a great place to spend a few hours of pure childhood. 

If you go, prepare to be outside and active no matter the weather--and definitely wear sturdy shoes for climbing construction equipment.  We were hit by showers, but the event went on without a hitch.  There was a pit of fireman's foam (and a firehose "sprinkler" for afterwards) for those interested.  Elijah was more interested in the daisy-chaining of fire trucks to make the sprinkler work, but if your kiddos want to play in the foam, bring towels and quick-drying clothes or swimsuits.  There are some concessions, including local favorite Homestead Creamery ice cream, so don't forget some cash for snacks.  A backpack for carrying freebies may also be helpful; we came away with a new frisbee and fire helmet.  Expect to park in a field, and if you or anyone in your party is startled by honking horns, be prepared.

Relevant Twitter Handle:
@Recreation