Big trucks, a helicopter and Smokey Bear are taking over Truckee this Saturday as the Truckee-Donner Recreation & Park District hosts its annual Big Truck Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., giving kids a hands-on look at heavy equipment, emergency vehicles and big rigs supplied by local contractors and agencies.
The free gathering has become something of a local tradition, with past versions of the event described as a hands-on, up-close day with heavy equipment, according to Your Tahoe Guide. Children attending this year can explore heavy equipment, big trucks and emergency vehicles, watch a California Highway Patrol helicopter land and take off, and meet Smokey Bear in person.
Where to Find the Trucks — and a Lingering Address Mix-Up
Event materials for this year's Big Truck Day list the location as the Town Corp Yard at 10969 Stevens Lane, on Donner Pass Road north of Glenshire and next to the Humane Society. However, the Truckee-Donner Recreation & Park District's own event page describes the site differently, saying the event is located next to the new Forest Service building on Stockrest Springs Road, according to TDRPD. Attendees may want to double-check before heading out, since the two descriptions point to different landmarks.
Big Truck Day is set for the Town Corp Yard at 10969 Stevens Lane, with big rigs and heavy equipment on display. Kids can see the vehicles, meet Smokey Bear, and watch the CHP helicopter land and take off.
A Pet Food Drive With a 10,000-Pound Goal
Big Truck Day will also double as a major pet food drive benefiting the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe, per the same Visit Truckee Tahoe listing. Organizers are seeking a substantial haul this year: the recreation district says it needs 10,000 pounds of physical pet food donations, or monetary donations that can be used to purchase food later, the district notes on its event page.
Specific donation guidelines apply. The district is requesting dry, unopened, unexpired, non-prescription dog or puppy and cat or kitten food in bags ranging from 5 to 45 pounds, in any brand or size within that range, per the same account. The drive benefits both the Humane Society and the Town of Truckee Animal Shelter.
Longtime Local Tradition Draws Wide Support
Big Truck Day isn't new to the area. A 2023 listing placed the event at the Truckee Corp Yard on Stevens Lane on Oct. 21 of that year, also running 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to Your Tahoe Guide. In 2024, the Sierra Sun listed the event on Oct. 19 at the same Stevens Lane address, also from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Local businesses interested in displaying a big truck or piece of equipment at the event can contact organizers for more details on getting involved with Big Truck Day.
