July 6, 2014 at 11:36 AM
The summer may be hot, but youngsters will feel super cool exploring the amazing lineup of trucks and other vehicles at the Madison Library’s Touch a Truck event. Sponsored by the Friends of the Madison Public Library in cooperation with the Madison Area YMCA and the Rotary Club of Madison, Touch a Truck will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, rain or shine. Emergency vehicles will stretch along Keep Street from the Madison Public Library at 39 Keep St. and a variety of larger trucks will fill the Madison Area YMCA parking lot off Kings Road. The event will offer families a low-cost day of entertainment.
The exciting lineup of vehicles will include a fire truck, military cargo truck, a wrecker, an ambulance, police motorcycle and an animal control and rescue van to name a few. Batman and his famous Batmobile, courtesy of the Newark Police Department, are always a highlight of the event. Special features on C. Toto and Sons property in cooperation with West Jersey High Railers will include new and antique railroad memorabilia. Families will view working Lionel “O gauge” trains shown in an authentic 1928 baggage car along with a 1928 training safety car and a working Morristown & Erie diesel locomotive.
Touch a Truck will keep families happily entertained with many other activities, including a balloon man, free face painting, temporary tattoos and delicious food. New this year will be magic shows from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. by the popular magician Simon Mandal of the Simon Show. The Friends sponsor Touch a Truck every other year. Over 500 people attended the first Touch a Truck in 2008; however, over 1,000 adults and children enjoyed the event in 2012. This year’s Touch a Truck promises to be bigger and better than ever and a fun-filled day for everyone.
All proceeds from the event will support renovations in the Children’s Department of the Madison Public Library. Admission for toddlers to age 12 will be $8 for advance purchases (postmarked or in person at the library by July 25th) and $10 for same-day purchases. The cost for teens and adults is $5. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Advance registrations are available at the Madison Public Library, 39 Keep Street, or by visiting the Friends’ website www.friends-mpl.net. No tickets will be mailed. Participants in the Aug. 2 event will check in at the registration tables to obtain their admission wristbands. For information about the event or sponsorships, call Sue Heffernan at (973) 514-5969.