Children and families got the opportunity to see some of the city’s biggest vehicles up close Saturday at Navan’s Touch-A-Truck event. The Cumberland Township Agricultural Society partnered with the Navan Community Association to bring more than 40 big vehicles, including emergency vehicles, construction equipment, farm machinery, military transports and snowplows. “I wanted to come here to honk some trucks and to go on top and see how it feels like being in trucks,” said Delphine Villeneuve. The free hands-on event allowed children and families to explore all possibilities. “Something for everyone and showcase all the different careers and job opportunities and professions with some really cool big toys. The kids and adults can get in and interact and literally touch a truck,” said Shelley Cotton, director on the Navan Community Association. Touch-A-Truck aims to teach kids how big jobs are done, how the vehicles work and what makes the machines so important. The day included a sensory-friendly quiet hour catering to children and adults that are sensitive to loud sounds along with musical entertainment, face painting, food trucks and family-friendly activities. “Big, big truck fan. He loves seeing the trucks, loves climbing in,” said Matt Paul, attending Touch-A-Truck with his son. “My son is also very interested in trucks. He’s slightly disappointed that Optimus Prime is not here and there’s nobody transforming, but he’s been really excited to see all the trucks,” said Brad Both, who was there with his family. For the young and old vehicle lovers, it was beyond some of their imaginations. “They really love big trucks and to get the chance to come here and go inside them is a really fun opportunity,” said Elyse Campbell, who was there with her kids. In celebration of Ottawa’s 200th anniversary, the event also highlighted the history of Navan and its agricultural roots. “Navan, traditionally it was a very rural based small community of the Cumberland Township. Then now, we are part of the city and so, there’s a whole different set of jobs,” said Cotton.
