Fox Chapel Touch-a-Truck event draws crowd, showcases variety of vehicles

Fox Chapel Touch-a-Truck organizers said they were able to showcase more vehicles and draw a bigger crowd with its third annual installment.

The community event, spearheaded by the borough police department, took place on Sept. 27 behind the borough building at 401 Fox Chapel Road.

Sgt. Craig Sorg estimates at least 250 people participated.

“We had great weather and a lot of different types of vehicles,” Sorg said.

He also noticed attendance was up via the food.

The department would cook 100 hot dogs and had a few leftovers in the past couple of years. But Sorg said the hot dogs were gone within the first hour of the three-hour event and officers went to a store to get more.

There were vehicles of all shapes, sizes and purposes, including Foxwall EMS ambulances, Fox Chapel fire and public works trucks and Fox Chapel and Indiana Township police vehicles.

The state Attorney General’s Office lent one of its SWAT vehicles and Davey Tree Service brought one of its trucks.

The Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company brought some of its water rescue vehicles and equipment.

ABC Transit had a school bus and a table full of giveaways.

Fox Chapel public works crews also had a few snowplows for children to paint.

Sorg said the hope is that families recognize their artwork when it comes time to treat and plow roads this winter.

Fox Chapel volunteer firefighters performed a vehicle extraction demonstration using a hydraulic rescue tool called the Jaws of Life.

A new activity this year was the K-9 for a day program with Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley.

One of its goals is to raise awareness of animals in need of adoption.

Tonka, a 3-year-old coonhound mix from New Kensington, was “sworn in” by District Judge Matt Rudzki.

Sorg said the dog was a big hit with community members and is awaiting his forever home. Several families had expressed interest.

Tonka was the second Fox Chapel K-9 officer for a day this year.

Mr. Beefaroni, believed to be 4 years old and a Mastiff-mix, was honored June 11 as the guest “pawfficer” and was brought by Humane Animal Rescue.