Could high fuel prices wreck the annual Touch-A-Truck event?

Thu, 05/01/2008 - 8:54am
By: The Citizen

Touch a Truck is the popular event that allows children to climb aboard all types of trucks, tractors, road and construction equipment, novelty vehicles and public safety vehicles to push buttons, pull levers, sound sirens and horns and practice driving the big rigs. The free event, scheduled for Saturday, May 10th from 10am to 2pm, is sponsored by the Peachtree City Parks & Recreation Department.

“Companies that participated in the past have called to say they can’t make it this year. The cost of fuel to haul in equipment or to keep it operating for the four hours of the event is a major factor,” event coordinator Ashley Alonso reports. “I have spent countless hours recruiting vehicles and they all think it is a great event. We just can’t do it this year. Call us next year, they say,” Alonso says.

“The city has committed vehicles from public works and public safety. If we can’t get more participation, the event may have to be cancelled. We will need to make a decision by May 5th,” Alonso reports. There are a few companies who have confirmed, but not enough to make this a successful event. "I have noticed a lot of companies will confirm, then withdraw within a week," says Alonso.

If there are any companies out there that have interesting vehicles that are willing to participate, please call Ashley Alonso at 770-631-2542. The event is looking for cars, limousines, tractor trailers, any truck with a neat paint job, ice cream trucks, monster trucks, lifted trucks, forklifts, heavy equipment or machinery, trains, antique vehicles, box trucks, concrete pumping trucks, bucket trucks, go karts, race cars, 18 wheelers, motor homes, trolleys, party buses, etc. Alonso says, "Any and every vehicle is a hit with these children."

“The kids will be so disappointed if the trucks don’t come. This event is a favorite with families. What child doesn’t like trucks? Over the years, we have some adorable pictures of little tykes having fun and learning how things work. We want to hold this event if at all possible. So truck owners, help us out.” said Alonso.

If it becomes necessary to cancel the event, updates will be posted on the website, www.ptcrecreation.org. You may call the Parks & Recreation office at 7770-631-2542 for additional information or email Ashley Alonso at aalonso@peachtree-city.org.

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Submitted by blazing2006 on Thu, 05/01/2008 - 1:07pm.

in the world. This event is for the kids, so I say fillerup and come on out and stop whining about the gas prices. This should be a great opportunity for some of you whining bloggers to get away from worshiping your keyboards and spend time with your kids or grandkids. I hope this event does not get canceled. I am planning on bring my son out for a couple of hours.

John Munford's picture
Submitted by John Munford on Thu, 05/01/2008 - 10:50am.

Maybe it's the Soup Nazi in me, but if these companies can't afford to come to Touch-A-Truck, they shouldn't be allowed to have an entry in the July 4 parade either.

In fact, with gas prices being what they are, why not use that as an excuse this year to limit the entire parade to golf carts only? If such an announcement were made now, companies would have time to rent carts from local and regional dealers.

DISCLAIMER: The above opinion is that of its author and not his employer.


Main Stream's picture
Submitted by Main Stream on Thu, 05/01/2008 - 12:11pm.

Well, I can actually understand their point about not participating because of gas prices. Diesel is even higher than regular and those trucks are guzzlers.

Let's go green and have a Kinetic Conveyance race instead (Google: Boulder kinetic conveyance) - this was always one of the major events we would go to in the Spring, and PTC would be a great venue for this.... (maybe next year)


Submitted by sageadvice on Thu, 05/01/2008 - 12:06pm.

Do they show independence?
Can't we throw Bush, Cheney and cohorts out and celebrate that with about a thousand Iraqi vets marching?
Well, we could get about a hundred oil and gas trailers to parade, then sell it cheap at a ball park somewhere. Would show our independence from oil.
A few water tankers might also be good. We may be out this summer or fall and need that. We would hijack them and keep them.
Golf carts. How many dealers have we got of golf carts? Not as many as liquor stores!

Submitted by sageadvice on Thu, 05/01/2008 - 3:11pm.

Hey if sloppy PTC residents couldn't slop up the grounds while they watch the Roman games at the coliseum what good is it to be "special?"

I quit the Fred shows due to pure jackasses all around you everywhere.
Just one step above tribal parties!

carbonunit52's picture
Submitted by carbonunit52 on Thu, 05/01/2008 - 12:28pm.

Heck, I thought that using electric vehicles instead of ones with an internal congestion engine would show some independence from oil. Color me a naive shade of green I suppose. Since PTC is the golf cart capital of the world, we would be "playing above the rim" in that fame game.

I am a unit of little brain, in case you haven't noticed.


carbonunit52's picture
Submitted by carbonunit52 on Thu, 05/01/2008 - 11:31am.

is an excellent idea. The 4th of July is my favorite holiday, and this would "green" it up considerably.

I am a unit of little brain, in case you haven't noticed.


Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Thu, 05/01/2008 - 1:59pm.

there might be enough support to make and allow "road-worthy" carts for local travel.
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