ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Tons of Trucks, the city event where children climb into the vehicles that plow, haul and respond around Alexandria, marks its 10th year Saturday at Chinquapin Park.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 3210 King St. Admission is free and it happens rain or shine. The city asks people to RSVP to skip the wait at the gate. As of Tuesday, the Eventbrite page listed only a few RSVPs remaining.
"Tons of Trucks is more than an event — it's an opportunity for our community to connect with the people and equipment that help make Alexandria a great place to live, work, and play," said Hashim Taylor, director of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities.
What's new for the anniversary
The city added a pop culture area this year with the "Diggin For Dollas" monster truck and a "Back to the Future" DeLorean, both set up for photos. DapperBeatz of the TopTierGroup will DJ a dance party, and there will be a moon bounce.
Transportation and Environmental Services brings back Paint-a-Plow, where visitors help decorate a city snowplow. DASH will unveil its 10th annual Tons of Trucks bus wrap, and the city's Mobile Art Lab will debut a new vehicle wrap chosen by the community, with hands-on art activities.
The rest of the lineup is the fleet itself: fire trucks, police vehicles, refuse trucks, school buses, electric vehicles and DASH buses, with the staff who operate them on hand.
Emergency preparedness groups will be there too, including the Community Emergency Response Team, the Medical Reserve Corps and amateur radio volunteers. Virginia American Water will hand out free water and show off its Water Buffalo storage tank. City booths will include ALEX311, the Office of Human Rights, the Office of Historic Alexandria, the Jerome "Buddie" Ford Nature Center, Alexandria Library, the Office of Climate Action and GO Alex. Food trucks and giveaways round it out.
Visitors can pick up a site map with an event passport, collect stamps at participating stops and turn it in at the RPCA info tent for a prize, while supplies last.
Sensory hour and getting there
The first hour, 10 to 11 a.m., is a lower-sensory period with reduced noise and activity. All attractions stay open until 2 p.m.
The city encourages walking, biking, and transit. DASH is free, and Capital Bikeshare is available. A free valet in front of Chinquapin Recreation Center will hold bikes, scooters, and strollers.
Drivers can park at Alexandria City High School, 3330 King St.; First Baptist Church, 2932 King St.; and Oakland Baptist Church, 3408 King St. Accessible parking is available at Chinquapin Recreation Center, first-come, first-served.
For disability accommodations, contact daniel.guzman@alexandriava.gov or 703-746-5419, Virginia Relay 711. Free interpretation and translation services are available at LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or 703-746-3960.
