‘Touch a Truck’ event returns for its third successful year in downtown Moose Jaw
Touch a Truck returned for its third year on Sept. 7 at the Moose Jaw Events Centre, and following what organizers are calling another successful event, guests are now asked to fill out a feedback form to help make next year’s program even more successful.
It was a wonderful day (with) lots of activities, lots of families, and just a really great community event overall,” said Wanda Peakman who represented the Moose Jaw Family Resource Centre (MJFRC) at the program.
The MJFRC hosts the yearly Touch a Truck event and is joined by its sponsors the Moose Jaw and District Early Years Coalition, the Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce, the Moose Jaw Literacy Network, and the Moose Jaw Public Library.
“So, it’s really a community effort to put on (such) a big event, and families are so grateful to have this opportunity to check out (these vehicles),” she said. “Their children are enjoying it, and also some adults are enjoying it as well, which has been really fun to see.”
Peakman said that organizers try to keep the event fresh and new for returning guests each year.
“Every year… (we aim to) get somebody new (at the show),” she said. “This year we had three new exhibitors: Moose Jaw Search and Rescue, Operation Lifesaver…, and the Moose Jaw Warriors bus.”
Compared to last year’s event, Peakman said this year saw far warmer temperatures and more people in attendance — an estimate backed by Kevin Mader and Richard Pastrana with Loraas Disposal.
“It’s been excellent once again (for the) third year in a row, and I’ve been keeping a tally,” Mader explained. “So far (about two hours into the event) we’re at the same head count for number of visits to our truck as last year. So, I think by the time it ends today, we’re going to surpass last year’s numbers.
“I just think the organizers did a really good job,” he added. “This event was a really good idea for the community.”
The event’s main benefit is to facilitate family engagement while promoting literacy.
“So, not only did (children) get to maybe learn some new words and see some new things, they (also) get to mee the heroes that drive (these vehicles). That’s huge.”
The emergency vehicles, she said, are
always the most popular attractions for the event’s younger guests and the prevailing sound of honking horns and wailing sirens provided evidence of this.
“You know, I met a little guy who wants to be a bus driver,” she continued. “He has spent most of his day in the city bus. I mean, that’s just great to see.”
Indoors, numerous booths were set up with the aim of promoting literature. One of these booths was attended by Jennifer Doede, the community outreach librarian with the Moose Jaw Public Library.
“It’s been wonderful,” she said. “We’ve spoken to hundreds of families about the resources and services that we offer at the library.”
Peakman is now requesting that everyone who attended Touch a Truck help provide feedback on the MJFRC Facebook page, ‘Moose Jaw Early Years Family Resource Centre.’
“We just love to hear your feedback,” she said. “Listening to what the community has to say about how they enjoyed the day and what we can do differently… is very important.”
From last year’s guest feedback, Peakman said event organizers moved the tables, chairs, and food indoors this year to avoid the wasps and the heat — which was quite widely appreciated.
On behalf of all organizers and the MJFRC, Peakman concluded with a message of gratitude. “A big thank you (goes out) to everyone who could make this day happen,” she said.
The fourth edition of Touch a Truck is anticipated to return in September 2025.