Cameron Hendershot finds a horn on a CAT loader during the Touch-A-Truck event on Saturday. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

PARKERSBURG – Rain did not stop families from coming out to the City of Parkersburg’s third annual Touch-A-Truck event at Southwood Park, where children got a close look at fire engines, construction equipment, emergency vehicles and other equipment used by city and county workers.

The event gave children a hands-on opportunity to explore vehicles such as fire engines, backhoes, skid steers, vactor trucks and graders while meeting some of the people who help keep the city running. Children were able to climb into some of the equipment, ask questions, and take home items such as coloring books, pencils, and fire helmets.

Parkersburg Fire Chief Jason Matthews said the fire department brought its ladder truck to the event after being invited by the city’s development department. The department had planned to bring its antique fire truck as well, but did not because of the rain.

“Interacting with the community, and showing the kids our truck, and handing out some goodies for them — helmets and coloring books and such — and having a good time,” Matthews said.

Matthews said the event drew a strong turnout despite the weather.

Colton Shamblin operates a hose during the Touch-A-Truck event at Southwood Park. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

“I just ran back to get some more stuff, so we’ve already given out over 100 helmets,” he said. “So just in the first hour, we’ve seen over 100 kids.”

Matthews said the variety of vehicles at the event helps bring families out.

“Just having the number of vehicles and trucks that are here, getting them all together at one place,” he said. “The kids really like seeing those, and it’s a good thing for our community.”

WVU Medicine Camden Clark EMS also participated in the event. Heather Marks said children were able to go inside an ambulance, see what first responders do, ask questions and get hands-on experience.

Marks said the goal was to make the ambulance less intimidating for children.

Despite rain pouring down, more than a hundred people visited the Touch-A-Truck event at Southwood Park Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

“They’ve been awesome. They’ve been really hands-on,” Marks said. “We’ve tried to make it a little bit fun instead of daunting, because obviously anytime they get in an ambulance, they go to the hospital.”

Marks said children were able to explore the ambulance and use their imaginations while learning about EMS.

“We kind of make it fun, ask them any questions in the chair, and let their little imaginations run,” she said.

Marks said she was surprised by the turnout earlier in the day because of the weather.

“I was really shocked because the weather, I was really worried that was not gonna work out, but earlier there were a ton of kids here,” she said.

Wood County 911 also participated in the event, offering emergency management outreach for children and families. William Riffle, operations coordinator for Wood County 911, said the agency had coloring books and other materials to help children learn basic emergency information, including who to call when they need help.

Riffle said children also were able to tour the agency’s truck and learn how it could be used in an emergency.

For some families, the event was a natural fit. Courtney Whiting attended with her son, Cameron.

“He just loves his trucks,” Whiting said, adding that he especially likes heavy equipment. “His grandpa, he does heavy equipment, so he’s always loved it.”