(Washington, DC)  Washington, DC’s June 16th Truck Touch event drew a massive crowd as more than 3,000 citizens attended the free event—more than triple last year’s crowd. As usual, vehicles representing most agencies that provide vital city services were available for kids and adults to personally experience. This year, however, a number of new attractions were added, including the ability for licensed adults to test drive two of the city’s new eco-friendly vehicles.

“We pulled out all the stops this year,” said DC Department of Public Works (DPW) Director William O. Howland Jr. DPW coordinates the event each year. “This has typically been an event where kids get to go wild but this year, we gave adults a reason to get excited too.”

Attendees were treated to coupons and healthy snacks by representatives of Safeway Inc. and bottles of water sponsored by Coca-Cola Refreshments and the Maryland-Delaware-DC Beverage Association. Children also received free coloring books provided Maryland Industrial Trucks and face painting by the Department of Parks and Recreations.

A host of agencies contributed vehicles and equipment, including the Metropolitan Police Department, which brought a motorcycle, police horse and helicopter—the biggest attraction of the day. Authorized citizens were also allowed to test drive a Chevy Volt (which runs on electric and gas) and Nissan Leaf (100 percent electric) as well as the new “Trykes” used by DPW’s Parking Enforcement Management Administration. The event also featured several area food trucks for the first time.

“I want to thank all of the agencies who took time from their extremely busy schedules to participate in this event, which provided a day of free, safe, fun for our residents and the opportunity to really demonstrate the work we do to keep the city safe, healthy and clean,” Howland said. “We look forward to another successful year with activities that can involve the entire family.”

DC government’s annual truck touch features vehicles and information from the DC Departments of Public Works, Transportation, Health, Employment Services, Parks and Recreation, Fire and Emergency Medical Services, Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, the Metropolitan Police Department, the Red Cross and the DC Water and Sewer Authority.

Media Contacts

• Nancee Lyons
• (202) 671-2637