NORWICH – Liam O’Brien was wide-eyed and practically squealing with delight on Sunday, as he hopped into the cab of a Curtis Lumber truck and tugged the chord connected to the rig’s air horn. The McDonough youngster was one of many who learned that Tonka-sized trucks don’t hold a candle to the real thing at the Oxford Lions Club’s second annual Big Rig event.
The event, which took place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Otsego Auto Crushers, gave area kids a chance to get up close and personal with a wide array of trucks and pieces of super-sized farm and construction equipment.
“The kids have a ball,” said Oxford Lion David Emerson, as he watched another pint-sized attendee climb into the cab of another piece of equipment, this one volunteered for the day by a local farm.
The equipment was provided by a number of local businesses including Burrell’s Excavating, Doug Moore Contracting, Curtis Lumber, Saunders Concrete, Blueox, Spencer Towing, Marshman Farm, Howe Farm, John and Bob Hoffman of Chershire Valley Farm, Place Farm, Weidman Farms and the Oxford Fire Department.
“All of the businesses were delighted to do it,” said Emerson.
Kids also had the unique opportunity to watch Otsego Auto Crushers in action.
“They can actually push the button,” he explained, to trigger “the big squeeze.”
In addition to the rigs, there were plenty of games and activities for kids to enjoy, including a bounce house, pedal tractors and other games, as well as food and beverage items on sale.
There was also a focus on safety, with fire safety demonstrations by the Oxford Fire Department. The Chenango County Sheriff’s Department was also on hand, with their Operation Child Safe trailer. Village of Greene Police Chief Steve Dutcher and his dog Mina were also on site doing K-9 demonstrations.
All proceeds from the event go toward the Lions Club’s charitable projects.
Last year, according to past-president John Weidman, 100 percent of the service organization’s charitable efforts benefited local causes.