Big Truck Petting Zoo starts up some fun today

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on June 1, 2024.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

Is that time of the year once again, when children and adults alike get a chance to gather around multiple public operation vehicles up close and meet those who drive them during the Big Truck Petting Zoo today at the Crossings Branch of the Lethbridge Public Library.

The Lethbridge Public Library in partnership with the City of Lethbridge, Lethbridge Police Services and Lethbridge Fire and EMS will host the event at the north parking lot from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Emily Lumley, event organizer and library technician spoke to media Friday ahead of the event to share some details about it.

“It is my favourite event that we host all year at the Crossings branch. It’s the biggest event we host all year. Last year, even though it was terribly rainy, we still had over 2500 attendees,” said Lumley.

She explained the free family event allows those in attendance to get familiar with the different vehicles used by LPS, the Fire Department, as well as various city vehicles like garbage and recycling trucks.

“We couldn’t do it without them. They make the event so special, they are the stars of the show,” said Lumley.

The now annual event first took place in 2019 but was suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022 the event was brought back and it has become an annual event since.

“The first year we hosted it was in 2019 and it was huge,it surprised us how well attended and how popular it was just from the first year,” said Lumley.

Lumley believes the event is a unique opportunity for community members to connect with the people that keep our city operating.

“My daughter has always loved waving to the garbage truck driver as they drive by to pick up our bins and it wasn’t possible to say hello to them or to sit in the driver seat and hold the steering wheel,” said Lumley. “But now we actually get to connect with those members of our public services, and the children can make very, very special memories of meeting their local heroes.”

She added that the event also provides an opportunity to visit the library and learn about what they have to offer.

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for people who don’t already know what we offer to explore that,” said Lumley.

She mentioned the library recently underwent some renovations and they are excited to share them with those who have not being able to see the results yet.

“We had our library expansion project completed over the last year and we have a newly expanded space with new features that many probably haven’t had the chance to see yet. So we are hoping that the visitors will take an opportunity to come inside,” said Lumley.

She said while visiting the library community members can get a free Library card as they are once again offering free Library memberships.

Those attending the event today are reminded of the parking lot closure and Lumley suggests making transportation arrangements to be able to enjoy it.

“I do encourage people planning to attend to also plan their travel arrangements. Maybe they want some extra City of Lethbridge vehicle time and they can take the bus here, or arrange to have drop off or find some parking in the surrounding areas,” said Lumley.