PALM COAST, Fla. — Sirens echoed through Town Center Saturday morning, but this time there was no emergency — just hundreds of excited children climbing aboard fire trucks, honking massive horns, and exploring the machines that help keep Palm Coast running every day during the City of Palm Coast’s Sixth Annual Touch-A-Truck event.
The family-friendly event, held May 16, once again proved to be a crowd favorite as families packed the area to get an up-close look at everything from fire engines and police cruisers to tow trucks, construction equipment, and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Mobile Command Center. One of the day’s most talked-about attractions was the Mosquito Control helicopter, which drew curious kids and parents alike eager for photos and questions.
Children climbed into driver’s seats, explored oversized tires and flashing lights, and experienced the thrill of blaring horns with permission — much to the delight of the crowd.
Palm Coast City Council member Ty Miller attended the event with his family and said the day provides an important opportunity for residents to better understand the people and equipment working behind the scenes to serve the community.
“It’s good for everybody to see all the equipment that it takes to take care of the city,” Miller said. “Public works does a lot of stuff, the sheriff’s office has a lot of stuff — it’s more in the background sometimes — so this gives families a chance to experience it firsthand.”
Miller laughed as horns sounded almost nonstop.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever heard so many horns honking and sirens going off for a good reason,” he joked.
Among the standout displays was a privately owned classic truck brought by local enthusiast Phil Lites and his son, whose restored vehicle drew steady crowds of fathers, sons, and curious young gearheads.
Lites showcased his 1957 Chevy pickup while encouraging children to sit inside, explore under the hood, and dream big.
“That’s what it’s all about,” Lites said. “The kids love it, and the parents get pictures they’ll keep forever.”
He noted that events like Touch-A-Truck help spark interest in classic cars, mechanics, and craftsmanship in younger generations.
“Especially the old cars,” Lites said. “They’ve got soul. The new stuff doesn’t.”
Lites recalled a recent conversation with a 13-year-old boy who told him he wanted to work on classic cars someday because of their character and history.
“That’s what we need to keep going,” he said. “The racing, the old cars, all of it.”
For parents, the event was about more than entertainment. Many saw it as a chance to expose children to careers in public safety, public works, mechanics, and aviation in a hands-on environment.
Miller’s family discussed many of those opportunities while exploring the event together, particularly the FCSO Mobile Command Center and its role in school safety and emergency response.
The combination of interactive experiences, educational opportunities, and pure family fun helped make the annual event another success for the City of Palm Coast and its community partners.
From flashing lights and towering trucks to timeless classic vehicles and smiling children, the Sixth Annual Touch-A-Truck once again turned Town Center into one giant playground of discovery for kids — and kids at heart.
