Dozens of large trucks, excavators, towing vehicles, emergency response vehicles and various types of heavy machinery will be on hand for kids and their families to explore during Falls Township’s annual Touch a Truck event on Sept. 18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Falls Township Community Park, 9050 Mill Creek Road, Levittown.
The 5-hour event, spearheaded by township supervisor Jeff Boraski and the township’s Parks and Recreation Department, offers a unique opportunity for children to learn more about how the various vehicles on display serve as first response, construction, farming, manufacturing and more.
The free event features giveaways, bounce houses, face painting, a balloon artist, DJ and food available for purchase from Levittown #1 Fire Department. Kids can also meet Iron Man and Elsa from Frozen from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The first hour of Touch a Truck, from 9 to 10 a.m., is a sensory-friendly quiet hour for community members with special needs. Truck operators will refrain from flashing their lights or blowing their air horns during this time.
Proceeds from Touch a Truck benefit Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and The Barkann Family Healing Hearts Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides financial aid to families throughout the Delaware Valley who are in need due to recent tragedy or adversity. Michael Barkann, host of NBC Sports Philadelphia, began the foundation in 2013. Barkann will be on-hand at the event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. At noon, he’ll choose a raffle winner for a pair of lower-level tickets to the Eagles-Chiefs game on Oct. 3. Learn more and buy raffles at thebarkannfoundation.org/?mc_cid=12d78dceb3&mc_eid=d98126689c.
Touch a Truck will feature police, fire and public works vehicles, as well as a school bus and Falls Township mowers and trucks. Event sponsors will bring additional trucks and machinery.
Falls Township’s annual Family Festival will follow the Touch a Truck event, running from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 18, also at Falls Township Community Park. The festival will feature food trucks, costumed characters, a strolling magician, a caricature artist, balloon artist, bounce house and face painter. The Family Festival will culminate with fireworks. Hand sanitation stations will be available throughout the event area.
In the event of inclement weather, both events will be held at the same time and location on Sept. 25.
