A truck show for kids at the Riverhead Highway Department Saturday drew double the crowd expected by Highway Superintendent Mike Zaleski.
Zaleski said about 200 to 300 people came to the free event, where kids had a chance to see and learn about the department’s trucks and equipment.
“I was expecting 100 people,” he said. “I bought 100 hot dogs, 100 buns and 100 bags of chips. I had to then pretty much double that,” he said.
Zaleski said he wanted to put on a free event that kids and parents could enjoy together. “Just something for the kids, something for them to do,” he said. He recalled always looking for things to do with his own son when he was young that were free or affordable.
Kids love trucks, and all the other outreach programs Zaleski does are always crowd-pleasers.
“We do the touch-a-truck. I help with recreation—I bring a truck to them every year and that seems to go over very well. Every November I go to each elementary school, the first-graders, I bring plow trucks to them for show and tell. I bring coloring books. Kids love it,” he said.
Zaleski personally paid for the refreshments he gave away at Saturday’s event and five highway crew members volunteered their time to be there and talk to the kids about the trucks, the equipment and safety, he said. “No town money,” he said.
He hopes to host the event again next year, he said.
Drone video by David Arteaga
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Emil Breitenbach Jr.
The survival of local journalism depends on your support.
We are a small family-owned operation. You rely on us to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Just a few dollars can help us continue to bring this important service to our community.
Support RiverheadLOCAL today.
