Library's annual Touch a Truck event returns Friday, Aug. 22

Prince George’s most important summer event for young truck lovers is back for another year on Friday, Aug. 22.

The Prince George Public Library typically wraps up its summer reading club program with a Touch a Truck program and this year is no exception.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Canada Games Plaza, people of all ages can drop by to get hands-on with a variety of vehicles.

Then, from 2 to 2:30 p.m., kids can go inside the Bob Harkins Branch to build their own cardboard cars before a 2:30 p.m. showing of “Cars 2” inside the Keith Gordon Room.

Speaking to The Citizen on Wednesday, Aug. 13, the library’s manager of communications and engagement Steve Hamilton said there will be emergency and heavy industrial vehicles on display among others.

“Dump trucks, loaders, all that stuff,” Hamilton said. “I’ve got a call in to YRB (Yellowhead Road and Bridge). They’ve committed to showing up with something cool. We don’t know what’s exactly coming this year and that’s always one of the best parts about it.”

The Touch A Truck event will be going on at the same time as the Nanguz ‘An container market. Hamilton said the library will be using the containers and will have some items on display inside them.

“We keep things absolutely free as much as possible here,” Hamilton said. “The idea behind doing that is to make it accessible for everybody. There’s nothing paid this year.”

The event will take place rain or shine. Some of the vehicles will be parked in the lot where the Four Seasons Pool was once located next to the Civic Centre.

Hamilton said it’s his first time taking part in the event and he’s looking forward to getting an up-close look at a fire truck.