INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Polished chrome from more than 40 snazzy cars and trucks gleamed almost blindingly in the bright sunshine as families poured into the Indian River County Fairgrounds for the fifth annual Touch a Truck Family Festival to benefit Childcare Resources of Indian River.
Squeals of laughter were mixed with the blaring of exceptionally loud truck horns as children darted from one to the other, exploring every aspect of the numerous vehicles on display.
Trucks of every shape, size and purpose were included in the mix, including several lovingly maintained vintage varieties.
There were police and fire department emergency vehicles, construction and agricultural trucks, tow trucks, long-haul transport trucks and cement mixers, race cars and even a Humvee, complete with gun turret, on loan from the Navy SEAL Museum.
All had their doors thrown open, allowing kids to climb aboard, toot the horns and play make believe, dreaming of the day when they could actually see over the steering wheels.
“It’s kind of grown every single year,” said event chair and Childcare Resources board member Anthony Dzielski.
“It’s at the point where everyone asks about it; the parents and the truckers.”
One of those who have participated since the first year is Mike’s Wrecker and Florida Towing, owned by Mike Jaholkowski.
This time they brought 10 from their extensive fleet of custom painted trucks, plus a 1929 Ford hot-rod pickup truck, 1926 Woody bus and 1949 International wrecker.
“They always do a great job; we really appreciate what they do,” said Dzielski.
Collison’s Automotive also brought an antique – a 1927 Model T Ford tow truck, which was dwarfed alongside another of theirs, a mini-monster truck perched atop gigantic tires.
“Next year is our 40th anniversary in Vero; we’ve been in business since 1974,” said owner Lisa Collison.
Childcare Resources board member Trudie Rainone was enjoying the day with her daughter Danielle and two grandchildren visiting from New Jersey.
“It’s fabulous. We have different trucks that we haven’t had before, and then we have many of the same reliable ones. The kids really enjoy it.”
While the trucks are always the main draw, there were also plenty of other activities to keep the kids busy.
A hayride-style jaunt around the fairgrounds was added this year, and a petting zoo was brought back by popular demand.
And there were long lines of children wanting to experience the original form of horsepower, with pony rides by Carousel Party Acres.
Cooler but not necessarily quieter, the indoor pavilion was another a hubbub of activity, filled with toy cars and trucks, game booths, arts and crafts and face painting.
Home Depot outfitted children with aprons before letting them loose to hammer together and paint “Penske” moving trucks.
“This is the best we’ve ever had,” said Carolyn Veeneman, Childcare Resources board president.
“We changed the date; we used to have it the end of March, and decided on October. The turnout just looks great.”
“There are lots of smiling faces,” agreed executive director Shannon McGuire Bowman.
Childcare Resources of Indian River will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2014.
The organization strives to ensure that local working families have access to high quality, affordable early childcare through its own Education Center and in partnership with other local childcare centers.
