EAST ALTON - The East Alton Parks and Recreation Department held its Annual Touch A Truck event at Van Preter Park on Friday, July 10, 2026, drawing families to see emergency, utility, and service vehicles, according to Mayor Darren Carlton.

Carlton described the Touch A Truck event as a “big hit.”

He said a Survival Flight helicopter flew in and landed, and the event also featured an Ameren Illinois Power boom truck, fire trucks, a police car, an MCT bus, and a Trickey Towing vehicle.

Get The Latest News!

Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.

Article continues after sponsor message

Carlton said that sensory-friendly time was scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with the rest of the event running from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Mayor Carlton said attendance remained strong throughout the event.

He also said children who signed up were not charged and received nachos and a drink for free.

“If kids signed up, it didn’t cost them anything for nachos and a drink; everything was free, which is a really good deal,” Carlton said.

Prefer RiverBender on Google
Copyright 2026 Riverbender.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

 

More like this:

Riverbend East Rotary Club Foundation Gives $15,000 for Keasler Recreation Center Signboard
Jun 16, 2026
Sen. Erica Harriss, Rep. Amy Elik To Host Free Kids Fair In Granite City
Jun 17, 2026
Beverly Farm Postpones Fireworks Over Storms and Wet Grounds
Jun 26, 2026
Rep. Kevin Schmidt to Host Free Shred Event and Canned Food Drive in New Athens
4 days ago
Fifteen Years Later Jared Hanna Case Still Unsolved
Jul 2, 2026