Horns honked, lights flashed and little hands gripped big steering wheels as trucks of all kinds rolled into the Palos Hills Community Center for the city’s Touch-A-Truck event on Friday, July 25.
Kids got up close and personal with dump trucks, fire engines, police cars, cement mixers and more during the popular annual event, held outside the Palos Hills Community Center at 8455 W. 103rd St.
Families from across the area turned out to explore the vehicles, snap photos and meet the everyday heroes who operate them, including the Samra family of Palos Hills.
“We have been coming to this event every year since my oldest was only 6 years old and he’s 16 now,” Marwa Samra said. “We’ve made it a family tradition and take a photo in front of the bulldozer every year.”
The free, hands-on event, a Palos Hills favorite for more than two decades, invited children to climb inside their favorite big rigs, press buttons, turn on sirens and imagine themselves behind the wheel.
Vehicles on display included emergency vehicles, a school bus, garbage truck, cement mixer, front loader and more, with support from the Palos Hills Police and Public Works Departments, North Palos Fire Department, North Palos District 117 Transportation, ComEd, Republic Services and Ozinga Concrete.
Local organizations including the Green Hills Public Library set up booths on the Community Center patio to connect with residents. While food wasn’t sold, the event had no shortage of energy or community spirit.
With perfect weather and plenty of excitement, this year’s Touch-A-Truck event delivered the kind of joy and connection Palos Hills families have come to look forward to year after year.
