STAFFORD – Trucks of all different types where gladly displayed at the Manahawkin Lake Park for the Stafford Chamber of Commerce’s 4th Annual Touch A Truck event.
Car after car filled the parking lots and lined neighboring streets, and well over a hundred residents flooded into the park. The distant sounds of truck horns and sirens could be heard all throughout Manahawkin Lake, as children of all ages got a chance to “touch-a-truck,” sitting inside, playing with buttons and getting every possible chance to honk their horns.
Lining the grass and sidewalks of Manahawkin Lake were many of the vehicles owned and used by local municipal departments and businesses. From dump trunks to police cars, young children got a chance to sit in and learn more about some of the amazing vehicles that keep our towns in check. Of the many vehicles displayed there were ambulances, dump trucks, a leaf collection truck, garbage trucks, newer township municipal trucks, a local Coast Guard boat and even a full replica of the time traveling DeLorean from “Back To The Future” with the iconic flux capacitor, OUTATIME plates and a pair of the air-up Nike high-tops.
At the event there was live music thanks to Brandon Hanns with Dreamscapes Music Production and his many students all playing their own parts along with local singer David Mulvihill. Food vendors, bounce houses, a gaming trailer and other activities were spread all throughout the park. Being now in its fourth year, the event was a smash hit, bringing together local businesses, employees and residents.
It was Rocco Manochio and his team of volunteers and board members that made this event possible.
“We didn’t have anything like this in our town,” said Manochio. “I have 3 young kids. We went to an event similar to this in a neighboring town and thought, ‘We should have something like this in our town.’” Four years ago, he reached out to the township and pitched the idea. The township gladly supported his idea and helped make it possible. The funds from the sponsors and local businesses help to pay for the event and make it happen.
