2018 Truck Events
What kid doesn’t love a truck? Whether it’s fire engines, construction equipment, or other large trucks, these super-sized vehicles are always a hit with young kids, especially when they get to sit inside one and maybe even sound the horn! Touch-a-Truck events are fun ways for young children to see these large trucks up close and talk to the drivers to find out what they use them for. Here is our popular list, updated for 2018! Please note: If you or your kids are sensitive to loud noises you might want to ask each event’s organizers about “quiet times,” when they suspend the sounding of horns or sirens. Not all touch-a-truck events offer this, but some do.
Truck events in 2018
Thurs., April 27, in Woodbridge
Touch-a-truck at Potomac Nationals game
Join the Friends of Keep Prince William Beautiful at the Potomac Nationals game and enjoy a touch-a-truck. Stop by to visit their booth and enjoy an educational display including touch-a-truck. Reserve your ticket with KPWB, and a portion of the proceeds benefit its youth educational programs.
Sat., April 29, in Sterling
Virginia Touch-a-Truck by Joshua’s Hands
Big rigs, fire engines, cement mixer, school bus, utility vehicles and more — kids will find them all at this annual truck event to benefit Joshua’s Hands, a local nonprofit dedicated to community service. The event is from 10 am to 3 pm, with a horn-free hour (10-11 am) to make the event more enjoyable for children with special needs and/or sensitive ears. The entrance fee is $5 per person or free for children ages 12 months and under. Starting at 10 a.m. the first 300 kids will receive a free die cast car or truck with admission.
Sat., April 29, in Burke
Spring-Mar Cooperative Preschool Touch-a-Truck
This annual rain-or-shine fundraiser event for a local preschool has lots of trucks to see up close! Admission is $5 (free for kids under age 2). There will be vendors, a raffle, and fun for the whole family, with a special area for the youngest kids. The event is from 10 am to 2 pm and you can buy advance tickets online.
Sat., April 29, in Chantilly
SpringFest Fairfax
Enjoy free family fun all day long at the annual SpringFest Fairfax, the county’s official (and free!) Earth Day and Arbor Day event. In addition to a touch-a-truck, kids and families can enjoy a fun run, an alpaca petting zoo, entertainment including a Recycling Pirates puppet show, environmental crafts, and more than 75 vendors, exhibitors and food trucks .
Sat., April 29, in Dulles
Dulles Town Center Kids Fest
Dulles Town Center kicks off spring and its monthly kids’ programming with a Kids Club Festival on Saturday, April 29th. Activities at the free event, 11 am to 2 pm, include a touch-a-truck and more fun, including face painting, a magician, balloon artist, concert by Rocknoceros, a photo booth, demonstrations, giveaways, and more. See details on the Dulles Town Center website.
Thurs.-Fri., May 4-5, in Herndon
Town of Herndon Big Truck Days
This fun day of exploration is hosted by the Town of Herndon Department of Public Works. The event runs all day on Thursday (9 am to 3pm) and again on Friday, into the evening (9 am to 7 pm). This is a popular opportunity for kids to explore many trucks. Visitors get a souvenir hard hat. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations for the needy.
Sat., May 6, in Sterling
Tractorpalooza
The annual Tractorpalooza at Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum features vintage and modern tractors and fun activities for all ages. Guests can explore full-size and model tractors and view the permanent exhibits, and kids can participate in story-times, crafts, games, and hands-on exhibits. Tractorpalooza is free with paid Museum admission.
Sat., May 6, in Manassas
Manassas Air Show
The main draw at the popular and free Manassas Air Show is of course the aviation antics, but some of the fun is on the ground, too. As part of the event, there will be numerous STEM activities and an exhibition of police, fire, and EMS vehicles.
Sat., May 6, in Ashburn
Ashburn VFD Open House
The Ashburn Volunteer Fire & Rescue hosts a spring Open House at Ashburn Fire Station 6 starting at noon. There will be a touch-a-truck of fire/rescue vehicles and ambulances, plus more. Other fun includes a moon bounce, Legoland station, shoot-the-hose activities, safety demonstrations, and food.
Sat., May 13, in Annandale
Boy Scouts Old Dominion District Touch-a-Truck
All-day (10 am to 4 pm) event with more than 20 vehicles including fire trucks, a crane, roller, concrete truck trash truck, and more, plus police motorcycles and a helicopter. The event also will feature a rock climbing wall, bounce house, sports games and clinics, reptile show, and a child safety ID booth, a car seat check, and food. The fun takes place at Mason District Park in Annandale.
Sat., May 13, in Ashburn
Rock Ridge Touch-a-Truck
Rock Ridge High School Bands present a fun opportunity for kids to touch, explore, and play on vehicles of all types including public service, emergency, utility, construction, landscaping, transportation, delivery, and more. General admission will be from 10 am to 1 pm; VIP admission is one hour early, 9-10 am. Tickets ($5 for general admission; $10 for VIP) will be on sale in April.
Thursday, May 18, in Vienna
Town of Vienna Public Works Day
Guests can tour the facility; get an up-close look at the heavy machinery, vehicles, and equipment used by Public Works; and meet the employees who provide these essential services at this community open house.
Sat., May 20, in Lorton
Liberty Day
Liberty, a new housing development in Lorton (on the site of the historic Lorton Reformatory) is hosting a community day on May 20, 11 am-3 pm, that includes a touch-a-truck. Also in the Kid Zone will be a moon bounce. Other family activities include music, corn hole, craft beer, food, and history tours. A part of the proceeds go to Arcadia, a nonprofit dedicated to creating a sustainable local food system in DC area.
Sat., May 20, in Arlington
Truck and Bus Day
Children of all ages are invited to come and see (and even touch) all sorts of vehicles including construction trucks, fire trucks, a recycling truck, an ART bus, and more at the Central Library, 9 am to 11 am.
Sat., May 27, in Aldie
LePort Touch-a-Truck
LePort Montessori School hosts this interactive event for children to learn about and safely explore their favorite cars and trucks, 11 am to 1 pm. There are usually other activities, too, such as a moon bounce, face painting, and food trucks. Admission is free.
Sat., July 15, in Alexandria
Tons of Trucks
Guests of all ages can explore and get behind the wheel of more than 30 different vehicles from 7 City of Alexandria departments. Vehicles will include an armored police car, ambulance, fire engine, front end loader, dump truck, bucket trucks, trash truck, sewer truck, vacuum truck, buses and more. The event includes truck-themed activities, plus food vendors.
Tues., July 25, in Chantilly
Chick-fil-A Touch-a-Truck
Chick-fil-At at Air & Space Museum Parkway invites you to check out the vehicles that keep our community safe, and see what it is like to be a hero for a day! The event is 5-7 pm; admission is free.
Fri., August 4, in Reston
Totally Trucks
Annual free community event by the Reston Association, 9 am to noon, at the Central Services Facility. Bring the kids to the Central Services Facility and check out all the big trucks that Reston Association uses to make Reston beautiful. In addition, the mailman will be there and there may be a police and fire truck on display. Children will receive a “Totally Trucks” construction helmet. The horn-free hour, on some of the vehicles, is 9 -10 am. This is a rain-or-shine event; registration is not required. Overflow parking is at the YMCA and you can walk next door to the event. Popcorn, cotton candy, sno cones and water available for purchase
Fri., August 4, in Herndon
Big Truck Night at the 4-H Fair
See lots of big trucks during this free event, held on the Friday night of the 4-H Fair at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon, 5-8 pm.
Sun., Sept. 24, in Manassas
Discovery Junction’s Touch-a-Truck
Discovery Junction Children’s Museum (a museum in the planning stages) hosts its annual Touch a Truck on Sunday, September 24, at a new (and bigger) location, the Prince William County Fairgrounds. At this event, kids of all ages can get behind the wheel of their favorite vehicles and meet the people who help to build, protect, and serve our community. Admission is $5 and parking is free; the event is 11 am to 3 pm.
TBD, in Chantilly
Touch-a-Truck at Kid Junction
Annual Touch-a-Truck event at Kid Junction to benefit the local fire department. Kids can explore a fire truck from 10 am to noon, with a horn-free hour (10-11 am) to make the event more enjoyable for children with special needs and/or sensitive ears. The entrance fee is $10 per child (Ages 1-9) and free for children under 12 months. Kids will enjoy free play in the indoor playground and there’s a chance to win prizes!
TBD, in Alexandria
Fort Hunt Preschool Touch-a-Truck
This large annual event, 11 am-3 pm, makes for a fun day of truck exploration with lots of great vehicles for your children to experience. Vehicles can include fire trucks, buses, plows, recycling trucks, and more. The event is at Whitman Middle School in Alexandria; admission is $5 per person, with kids age two and under free.
TBD (usually in June), in Chantilly
Sully District Police and Chantilly Library Touch-a-Truck
Third Annual Touch A Truck, a free community event by the Sully District Police Station and the Chantilly Regional Library. Lots of trucks, buses, and more, plus live music, child fingerprinting, and kids’ activities outside and inside the library.
