By Allison Peck
Listen to the full interview on our Kubota Podcast
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Families will have the chance to get up close with a variety of trucks, tractors and heavy equipment during the Prairie Arts Center's first-ever Touch a Truck fundraiser on Saturday, July 25.
The event will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Prairie Arts Center and is designed to give children and adults the opportunity to explore vehicles they don't normally get to see up close.
Prairie Arts Center board member Sara Estrada said visitors can expect a wide variety of vehicles, including semis, tractors, side-by-sides, personal vehicles and emergency vehicles.
"We're just having this event so people can bring their kids out and they can get up close and touch these trucks and look at them—things they normally wouldn't be able to do," Estrada said during an interview on Eagle Radio.
In addition to climbing inside vehicles and meeting some of the operators, families can enjoy several kid-friendly activities. Children will be able to create their own driver's licenses, color themed activity pages and race Matchbox cars down the Prairie Arts Center's front hallway.
Estrada said Matchbox cars for the races were donated by Bobby Hull State Farm, Odean Colonial Chapel and Refined Beauty Cutting List Salon, allowing children to pick out a favorite car and compete.
Admission is $5 per person, which also includes food.
"Where can you go to get a $5 supper?" Estrada said. "It's a cheap dinner date, and it's going to be so fun and exciting."
The event also serves as a fundraiser for the Prairie Arts Center. Proceeds will help support future exhibits, classes and other programming at the facility.
While attending the event, visitors are also encouraged to explore the Prairie Arts Center itself. Admission to tour the center is always free, and guests can explore all four floors of exhibits and artwork.
Confirmed participants include the North Platte Police Department, Kubota tractors and a Walmart semi, with additional vehicles expected.
Estrada said the event offers something for the entire family.
"I hope people come join us because it's going to be a lot of fun," she said.
The Prairie Arts Center's Touch a Truck event will be held Saturday, July 25, from 4 to 6 p.m. Admission is $5 per person.