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Published June 25, 2010, 12:00 AM

PHOTO GALLERY:Touch a Truck 2010


Far-reaching firetruck ladders and construction equipment booms almost touch the sky during the popular community event known as Touch-A-Truck For Kids, held this year on Saturday, June 12, on the Meyer Middle School parking lot. Touch-A-Truck, held every other year, gives visitors a chance to get up close to and step or sit inside a number of trucks, vehicles, emergency units and more. Vera Roy-Stoeberl photos

  • Far-reaching firetruck ladders and construction equipment booms almost touch the sky during the popular community event known as Touch-A-Truck For Kids, held this year on Saturday, June 12, on the Meyer Middle School parking lot. Touch-A-Truck, held every other year, gives visitors a chance to get up close to and step or sit inside a number of trucks, vehicles, emergency units and more. Vera Roy-Stoeberl photos
  • Persons of all ages gathered for the event -- about 2,500 area visitors, according to organizer, Joe Covelli of River Falls -- and got a good look at over 50 various motorized items on display.
  • Rachel Schultz holds on to her 15-month-old son Jamison, who’s happy to be sitting at the wheel of one of the River Falls Fire Department’s trucks during Saturday’s Touch-A-Truck For Kids.
  • Another youngster appears dwarfed in comparison to the utilities truck he sits in.
  • A little girl with a big hard hat handles the gear shift in the equipment she sits in. Complimentary hard hats were handed out to youngsters and supplied by River Falls Municipal Utilities.
  • The River Falls Royal Ambassadors were on hand offering three turns down a 14-foot inflated “Lil’ Pumper Fire Truck” slide for $2 per child. Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the Royal Ambassador program.
  • Local grocer Dick Rinehart, left, waves to spectators as they watch him and volunteer fire fighter and St. Croix County Judge Ed Vlack take a trip up in the air in one of the fire department truck’s ladder buckets. Rinehart and Vlack got a good look at the whole area from high above.
  • Anna Zalusky of River Falls takes advantage of the chance to take a photo of a youngster, who might remember the snapshot’s event for a long time. The boy displays his excitement imagining himself digging in the dirt with the large “mini excavator” owned by local contractor Steiner Plumbing and Heating
  • Another mom photographs her young son who pretends to drive an Army Jeep.
  • Firetrucks are always a subject of fascination no matter where they appear. Many people took the time to climb up and in the big red trucks during the three-hour event. Some dressed in fire-fighting gear -- hat, coat, boots, and more.
  • A sheriff’s deputy invited youngsters into his squad car.
  • Many kids could fit together all at one time in a helicopter that was on display.
  • Jerry Carter’s truck was able to haul two pick-up loads of food donations in addition to $250 in cash to the River Falls Food Pantry. Carter, left, of River Falls, works along with three other volunteers several times a year to benefit the pantry.
  • Retired Westside Elementary School secretary Joyce Walin was spotted checking out some farm equipment along with a young girl. <br /><br />Erica Randgaard of River Falls commented on the event, “What a terrific event for the kids in our community! My 2-year-old son was in heaven!”<br /><br />The next Touch-A-Truck For Kids will be held in 2012.