Illinois State representative Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) believes that children should understand the different jobs associated with vehicles and learn about the community around them. Every year, State representative Kifowit looks forward to her annual Kid Expo and Touch-a-Truck event. This event is a large scale, interactive, informative, and educational event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Phillips Park Family Aquatic Center, Aurora. This event is extremely popular because it features a learning experience in a hands-on and enjoyable way. The event will again include a Medivac helicopter landing. For a complete list of participants, individuals can visit ILDistrict84.com.
“I look forward to this event every year because it is enjoyable for our community, children get to interact with a variety of individuals such as animal experts, landscapers, police officers, fire fighters, and paramedics,” said Kifowit. “Our participants are so generous with their time and it’s a rare chance to get up close, touch and explore many different vehicles in addition to educational activities that the entire family can enjoy.”
North and South parking lots, are at 828 Montgomery Road. The event will include interactive exhibits for children to enjoy and dozens of vehicles and trucks for them to explore and learn about from construction trucks, fire trucks, police cars to the Bookmobile.
Trooper Cooper is always a big hit, because the Illinois State Police will bring a walking, talking, robot whose cartoon voice and flashing lights are a fun way to share safety messages with children.
The Aurora Police Department will have its impressive Mobile Command Center on display.
The Kids Expo will once again showcase the ambulance in the air (weather permitting), the dramatic arrival and appearance by the Medivac helicopter, which will land at approximately 10:30 a.m. and take off approximately 11:30 a.m..
Kids (and adults!) love seeing animals and The Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo Animal Ambassador Program will have a special presentation from 11:30 a.m. to noon. There will be K9 unit dogs on site the Kane County Sheriff’s Office, and therapy service dogs from K9s for Vets.
The Lions Club is the newest addition to the event, which will be present to collect eyeglasses and hearing aids that will then benefit those in need.
— Illinois State representative Stephanie Kifowit