“There’s something people like about a pickup, man.”

While not the exact words from a catchy ‘90s country hit, it’s a widely held opinion that trucks are, well, just plain cool. What is true is that trucks and tractors get things done — we rely on them to transport our goods, in times of emergency, and to get our kids to and from school.

On Saturday, June 11, families are invited to get up close and personal with these working class heroes in a fundraising event that will help fill backpacks with food for students in need. Kids will be able to switch on sirens, inspect the many gadgets packed into a fire truck, sit in the driver’s seat of large vehicles like a tow truck and school bus, and more.

Kiwanis of Clark County created the “Try a Truck” event, to be held at the Arkadelphia High School parking lot from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Geared for children 12 and under but fun for the whole family, “Try a Truck” will include fire trucks, an ambulance, police vehicles including a SWAT truck, tow trucks, a school bus, tractors and, weather permitting, a helicopter.

There will be free face painting, and the Twisted Kitchen and Grab n Go Minis food trucks will have food for purchase.

Admission is $3 per person. Proceeds from the event will go toward the backpack programs at local schools that sends food home with students in need on weekends and school breaks, as well as many other programs for children and scholarships Kiwanis supports, said event organizer Nicole McGough.

“We very much appreciate all of those partnering with us to help make this a success including Arkadelphia Public School District, Sheriff Jason Watson and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Police Chief Jason “Shorty” Jackson and the Arkadelphia Police Department, Fire Chief Jason Hunt and the Arkadelphia Fire Department, Cameron Beene and Beene’s Towing and Recovery, Busy B Tree Service, Tractors of the Past, and everyone else who is coming out to help with this event,” McGough said.