Truckapalooza offers horn-honking, seat-clambering, closeup views of local wheels and wings

The day will be a machine aficionado's delight: tractors, a fire truck, police car, two excavators, a man-lift, a forklift, dump truck, tow truck, some classic cars, a semi, a pumper truck, an airplane and possibly a schoolbus and a helicopter or two. “Orcas Family Health Center never turns anyone away for financial reasons, and because of that we often find ourselves brainstorming for ways to raise funds to help offset the costs of providing care to everyone,” said organizer Shelley Rankin, who works as a receptionist at the center. “We attended a similar event in Las Vegas when we lived there and my children couldn't wait until the next year to go again.” The first annual Orcas Island Truckapalooza invites kids of all ages to come to the Eastsound airport to climb, touch, honk, and learn about the varied vehicles of the island. The event will raise funds for Orcas Family Health Center.

The day will be a machine aficionado’s delight: tractors, a fire truck, police car, two excavators, a man-lift, a forklift, dump truck, tow truck, some classic cars, a semi, a pumper truck, an airplane and possibly a schoolbus and a helicopter or two.

Orcas Family Health Center never turns anyone away for financial reasons, and because of that we often find ourselves brainstorming for ways to raise funds to help offset the costs of providing care to everyone,” said organizer Shelley Rankin, who works as a receptionist at the center. “We attended a similar event in Las Vegas when we lived there and my children couldn’t wait until the next year to go again.”

The first annual Orcas Island Truckapalooza invites kids of all ages to come to the Eastsound airport to climb, touch, honk, and learn about the varied vehicles of the island. The event will raise funds for Orcas Family Health Center.

Truckapalooza will be held on Saturday, June 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a designated “no honking” hour from 10 to 11 a.m. for those with sensitive ears.

The main focus of the event, of course, will be the children!” said Rankin. “We want them to have a blast climbing on, honking and learning about all the cool vehicles.”

Tickets are $6; free for those under three or over 93 years old. One dollar-off admission coupons are available at some local merchants.

Each vehicle should have a volunteer beside it to help the children climb in and out safely and to answer questions about the vehicle. The clinic’s own Phil-Bedder Bear will make a special appearance.

It’s likely there will be vendors offering snacks, balloons and facepainting as well.

For more information, to bring your own unique vehicle, or to participate with a booth, call 376-7778. Contributors are encouraged to bring promotional material to hand out.