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. This is why every year, Kifowit looks forward to her annual Kid Expo and Touch-a-Truck event. This event is a large scale, interactive, informative, and educational event Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Phillips Park Family Aquatic Center, Aurora from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.. This event is extremely popular because it features a learning experience in a hands-on and enjoyable way. The event again will 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.”
This year’s event will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10 in Aurora at the Phillips Park Family Aquatic Center in the North and South Parking Lots, 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, as the Illinois State Police will bring their 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 be a showcase for 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, and they will be present to collect eyeglasses and hearing aids that will then benefit those in need.
There will be food and beverages for purchase from Bayou Chili and Foxy’s Ice Cream Food Trucks.
“I look forward to meeting everyone at this event and encourage all residents, even individual without children, to come and enjoy our event. Everyone young and old will leave with a smile as they enjoy an old-fashioned, family friendly event Saturday, Sept. 10,” Kifowit said. “There will be plenty of fun and games for the entire family to enjoy. I hope to see everyone there.”
The Kids Expo and Touch-a-Truck Event is free and will take place rain or shine.
For more information, please contact the local constituent office of Representative Kifowit at 630.585.1308 or email any questions to Stephanie.kifowit@att.net.
—Illinois State representative Stephanie Kifowit