Touch a Truck at Mall on Saturday

The young–and the young at heart–will be able to climb in, over, around and through County vehicles and equipment on Saturday, May 5, at County Government Day featuring the “Touch-a-Truck Experience,” Douglas County’s annual celebration of National County Government Week. County Government Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of , and is open to the public with free admission.

The “Touch-a-Truck Experience” will feature vehicles and equipment from the Douglas County Fire/EMS Department and the , including fire trucks and rescue units, mobile jail, mobile command center, armored vehicle, HEAT cars, and lots more, according to the Sheriff's Facebook page.

The Fire/EMS Department will have its Fire Safety House at the Experience too. That means kids can crawl through a small, smoky house to learn how to escape if there is a fire. Firemen will help kids learn how to stay safe.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department K9 Unit will visit the Experience as well. Come out and meet police dogs who help catch the bad guys.

Kids and adults can also enjoy the “Ducky Derby” at the Experience. The “Ducky Derby” will be a carnival-type game where prizes can be won with donations going to the Special Olympics programs of the Douglas County Parks and Recreation Department. Parks and Recreation Staff will also be on hand to let citizens know about summer camp and summer sports camp programs for kids.

County departments will also have exhibit tents there, and the Friends of the Dog River Library will be collecting new and used books for the library. SafeKids Douglas will have an educational exhibit. Chairman Tom Worthan will host his “Chat with the Chairman” tent.

County Government Day is a program of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners in conjunction with Arbor Place Mall to present a positive and uplifting activity to citizens.

Chairman Worthan stated that “County government exists to serve our citizens, and we take every opportunity to bring government out of the Courthouse and to our citizens. It’s also a great time when our citizens can interact with the brave men and women of Public Safety who lay their lives on the line for them every day. We hope everyone comes out and has fun with us at County Government Day and the Touch-a-Truck Experience.”