Touch-A-Truck takes bomb truck, robot to Harbor Fest

Wed, 08/23/2017 - 4:15pm

    BELFAST — While Harbor Fest offered a variety of children’s activities on Steamboat Landing, there was one event that required more space than was available.

    Instead, the Touch-A-Truck event was held in Heritage Park and featured an impressive array of vehicles typically unstudied by the general public.

    Parked closed enough together to fit roughly a dozen different vehicles, the options included everything from a bomb squad truck and robot, to giant construction vehicles.

    With a variety of sirens randomly piercing the air as enthusiastic children tested the equipment, there was no shortage of curious spectators, both old and young.

    One popular vehicle at the event was the Maine State Police Bomb Squad truck, though it was less the vehicle and more what the vehicle carries that continuously drew new eyes. The bomb disposal robot was in almost continuous motion, operated by the hosting member of the bomb squad, or his eager young understudies.

    Members of the Belfast Police Department and Waldo County Sheriff’s Office also attended the event with vehicles, as did the Belfast Fire Department and a Maine Warden Service Truck.

    There was also a dump truck from Davis Dirt Works, a cement truck from State Sand & Gravel, a grader from Belfast Public Works, a wrecker from Blood Garage, a John Deere 848L grapple skidder from Nortrax, and others.

    With so many activities available between Steamboat Landing and Heritage Park, the variety of unusual seats available to sit in provided a steady stream of participants.

    The Touch-A-Truck event is held by the Belfast Rotary Club, in conjunction with Harbor Fest.

    Additional photos here.


    Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com