Lee County to host Touch-a-Truck event Saturday
Next weekend, children and adults alike will have a unique opportunity to explore a wide variety of county vehicles up close, including fire trucks, heavy equipment, and more.
Lee County Parks & Recreation is welcoming the community to attend the second annual Touch-a-Truck event at Mike Greenwell Regional Park in North Fort Myers. This free, family-friendly event takes place Jan. 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“We saw incredible community interest and participation during our first Touch-a-Truck event with 1,300 in attendance,” said Lee County Parks & Recreation Program Specialist at Mike Greenwell Regional Park, Jessy Zukaitis. “Bringing it back for a second year allows us to expand on what worked, welcome even more community partners, and continue creating hands-on experiences that connect families with the people and equipment that help keep our county running.”
Touch-a-Truck provides children and adults with an opportunity to explore a variety of vehicles up close, including fire trucks, heavy equipment and more. This interactive event offers an inside look at the vehicles that serve Lee County; it’s well suited for families and individuals looking to connect with their community in an engaging and educational setting.
The event’s first hour, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., will be sensory-friendly, offering a quieter and less crowded experience for individuals with sensory sensitivities.
Zukaitis said the county hopes attendees get “A sense of curiosity, connection and appreciation for the services that support our community. This event allows you to be hands on and explore the vehicles and talk to the people who operate them. For our sensory-sensitive attendees, we are proud to offer a designated ‘no horns/no sirens’ quiet hour to create a calmer environment.”
Vehicles from Lee County departments that will be represented include Parks & Recreation, Public Safety, DOT, Utilities, Solid Waste, Library System and Domestic Animal Services.
“Visitors can meet first responders, explore vehicles as big as a crane from Americrane, and as small as a motorcycle from Keepers of the Innocent,” Zukaitis added. “We’re excited to showcase the variety of services our county provides and offer families an unforgettable, hands-on way to see their community in action.”
To bring this event together, Zukaitis said numerous arms of the county come together to provide an amazing day for attendees.
“This event is a true collaborative effort between Parks and Recreation and the North Fort Myers Civic Association, along with all the participants involved,” he said. “Twenty-five-plus departments and businesses volunteer their time, expertise and vehicles to make this possible. It’s a collaborative showcase of what our county has to offer residents and visitors.”
There will be no shortage of apparatus and vehicles to explore.
“We are still finalizing the lineup, but we anticipate approximately 50- plus vehicles from various county departments and community partners, offering a variety of equipment and experiences for attendees to enjoy,” Zukaitis said. “The event will also feature food trucks and specialty experiences, including a Stuff N Fluff Bus. While admission to the event is free, food and vendor offerings are available for purchase.”
For those that represent an organization that has heavy equipment and would like to participate, it’s not too late to reserve a space. Contact Zukaitis at 239-371-1137 or email Jzukaitis@leegov.com.
Mike Greenwell Regional Park (formerly the Lee County Civic Center Complex) is at 11831 Bayshore Road in North Fort Myers.
To reach CJ HADDAD / cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com, please email