MOOSE JAW — Families will once again have the chance to get behind the wheel of some of the city’s biggest vehicles when the fourth annual Touch A Truck event returns on Saturday, Sept. 6.
Running from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Temple Gardens Centre curling rink and adjacent parking lot, the free event invites children and families to explore a wide range of emergency, commercial, and specialty vehicles. The afternoon will wrap up with a sensory-friendly “quiet time” from 2:30 to 3 p.m., when sirens and horns will be paused to provide a calmer environment for visitors who prefer a quieter atmosphere.
The hands-on showcase is hosted by the Moose Jaw Early Years Family Resource Centre in partnership with the Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce, Temple Gardens Centre, the South Central Literacy Network, SaskEnergy, and the Moose Jaw Public Library. Since its inaugural run in 2022, the event has quickly grown into a late-summer favourite, drawing hundreds of attendees eager to climb aboard and experience vehicles up close.
This year’s confirmed lineup includes fire engines, an ambulance, a police cruiser, a tow truck, a school bus, the Search and Rescue command post, and even a vintage 1950 Ford courtesy of the Western Development Museum. Organizers expect additional vehicles to be announced in the weeks leading up to the event.
Unlike a static car show, Touch A Truck is designed as an interactive experience. Children are encouraged to honk horns, try out switches, and talk directly with the operators who use the vehicles every day. Alongside the outdoor displays, the curling rink will host indoor activities, including play stations, a chance to see the Zamboni up close, book giveaways, and a concession.
The event also carries a strong literacy focus. Since the beginning, organizers have tied the showcase to National and International Literacy Day, highlighting how new experiences spark language and learning opportunities for children. At past events, families have received free books to take home as part of the effort to support early childhood literacy in the community.
Touch A Truck has built a reputation for connecting children with both vehicles and the people behind them, from firefighters and paramedics to construction operators and tow truck drivers. The goal is to give children a rare opportunity to see how these machines work and to meet the everyday heroes who use them.
Admission is free, but children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, residents can contact the Moose Jaw Early Years Family Resource Centre at 1250 Eleventh Avenue Northwest or by calling 306-691-0202.
The Temple Gardens Centre is located at 110 First Avenue Northwest.
