July 22, 2015 at 5:50 p.m.
Children meet area superheroes at Big Vehicle Day
Children meet area superheroes at Big Vehicle Day
By Kayla Thomason-
In the library parking lot the youngsters found vehicles that ranged from fire trucks, police and military vehicles to street sweepers and more.
"Our summer theme is superheroes so we want to celebrate some of our local heroes," said Tom Hurlburt, children's librarian at the Rhinelander District Library.
Children got to climb up into the vehicles, play with sirens and lights, walk in a 10-ton FMTV (Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles) military dump truck's dump bed and poke their heads up in the opening of the up-armored HUMVEE's roof.
"I think it's a good experience for them. I mean when I was younger I would have liked to climb around in a military vehicle," said Derek Westphal, National Guard Staff Sergent.
Many children loved the fire trucks and police car.
"They really seem to enjoy this," said Amanda Young, patrol officer with the Rhinelander Police Department. "They like going into the police car and pressing the different buttons that activate the sirens and lights."
Traci Stinebrink attended the event with her children. She said she liked that her children were able to see fire trucks and police vehicles up close so that if they encountered one in an emergency they'll be comfortable around it.
They also had the opportunity to talk to the firefighters, paramedics and police officer.
"The library provides wonderful opportunities for the kids throughout the summer and we're so excited to be able to take advantage of it," Stinebrink said.
"It was fun and I really liked it because of the fire truck and I did the sirens (on the police car)," added Stinebrink's daughter, Piper.
"I like it, it's really neat," said Nicole Zoncki, another mother. "We're learning a lot of different things that we didn't even think to ask before."
She said her children liked sitting in the fire truck and activating the siren on the police car.
"It was pretty cool," said Zoncki's son, Tripp. "I went in the street sweeper and it's really, really high off the ground."
His favorite vehicle was the green Forest Service Department of Agriculture truck.
"It goes in the woods and it puts out fires for the animals," Tripp said of his favorite vehicle.
The Forest Service Department of Agriculture brought along a special friend, Smokey Bear, the icon for fire prevention.
Smokey waved and high-fived with willing children.
Wild Instincts was also at the event with two beautiful birds of prey - a red-tailed hawk that is missing an eye and a peregrine falcon who is missing a wing. Due to the severity of their injuries they will never be released to the wild, but they go with the Wild Instincts staff to help teach people about wildlife.
Kayla Breese may be reached at kayla @rivernewsonline.com.
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