On May 17, trucks and utility vehicles from across the Tri-Town convened in the parking lot of Old Rochester Regional High School for the “Touch A Truck” even hosted by teacher Elizabeth Kennedy and the Early Childhood Education program.
The event saw both local town departments and businesses bring their important vehicles to allow both kids and adults to get an up-close look at and “touch” them. In doing so, attendees could learn the importance or necessity of such vehicles, as well as ask any questions they may have had prior or developed in seeing the scale of heavy machinery.
Stationed around the parking lot in a circle was a Cape Cod Express big-rig hauler, an Amaral yellow school bus, a container truck from Sadie Creek Farm, Mattapoisett Fire Department truck, and Mattapoisett Police showing strong with an ambulance, police van, ATV/side-by-side, and specialty drone-control cruiser.
There were many options as kids frolicked between their different interests. Some even discovered new interests, declaring “I wanna be a fire fighter!” or “I want to drive the bus!” Ironically, the vehicle kids and students have the most direct exposure to, the yellow school bus, seemed to draw the biggest crowd at times.
Toe Jam Puppet Band also made a showing with a bubble show by performer, bubbler, and ORRHS alumni Bailey Sweet. There were short Zumba classes and a drone demonstration by Mattapoisett Police. The drone flew high into the air, peering down on the audience excitedly gazing upward at law enforcement’s new toy. High school student volunteers were posted at various tables, manning sensory tables, face paint, and Play-Doh stations. ORR’s Bulldog mascot also made an appearance. The suit was originally gifted by the Class of 2023.
The event lasted three hours and saw hundreds of visitors.
By Sam Bishop