I’m not gonna lie, my kids used to be obsessed with garbage trucks. Like, we had to time our walks so we’d “accidentally” be outside when the big beast rolled down the street. So if you’ve got little ones who light up at the sound of sirens or shout “FIRE TRUCK!” every time they see red flashing lights, then you’ll want to mark your calendar for this one.
Upland Public Library is throwing their Summer Sendoff on Friday, July 25th from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and it’s all about Touch-A-Truck. That means kids can check out real city vehicles up close-like the Upland PD SWAT truck, fire trucks, street sweepers, waste haulers, and whatever else they can roll in for the day. (I’m secretly hoping for one of those giant claw-arm things that pick up couches during bulk trash pickup, no promises, though.)
It’s totally free, no sign-up needed, and geared toward kids ages 0 to 18, but let’s be honest, the toddler crowd is going to be living their best life. That said, older kids still get a kick out of climbing into the cab of a police cruiser or seeing how all the levers work inside a fire engine. Plus, the Upland officers and fire crew are usually super friendly and happy to chat or show off gear.
A few tips from someone who’s done more than a few of these:
- Bring water. It’s July. It’s hot. You don’t want cranky kids.
- Wear sunscreen. There’s some shade, but not a lot.
- And maybe prep your kids for the SWAT truck being cool but loud. (Speaking from past experience and a startle-induced meltdown.)
It’s happening right outside the Upland Public Library at 450 N. Euclid Ave., so you can duck into the A/C afterward or pick out some books to wind things down.
If you’re local and looking for one last hurrah before school stuff takes over the calendar, this is a fun (and free!) way to sneak in a little memory-making. Even if the garbage-truck phase is long gone, this kind of event still hits that sweet spot between simple and memorable. It’s the kind of morning that sticks with kids, climbing into big trucks, meeting local heroes, and feeling like they’re part of something cool.
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Upland Library
Summer Sendoff - Touch-A-Truck
