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.

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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.

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