Last Updated on September 14, 2026 12:56 pm
Touch A Truck Wilkes returns to the Wilkes County Agricultural Fairgrounds on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., bringing hands-on career exploration and family fun back to North Wilkesboro for a sixth year.
The free, rain-or-shine event is expected to draw approximately 3,000 attendees for an up-close look at more than 100 trucks, heavy equipment, emergency vehicles, agricultural equipment and other vehicles that help power the community. Children and families will be able to climb into vehicles, explore equipment and meet the professionals behind the machines they see every day.
The event is designed to spark curiosity about skilled trades, agriculture, public safety, transportation, construction and other career paths, while connecting families with local businesses and community resources.
“Touch A Truck Wilkes is about much more than big trucks,” said Misty McGuire Case, executive director of Touch A Truck Wilkes. “It’s about giving children the chance to explore, ask questions, meet people who do meaningful work and begin imagining what they might want to do one day. We want every child to leave with a little more curiosity and a few more possibilities.”
Attendees can expect more than 100 vehicles and pieces of equipment, hands-on exploration, local businesses and professionals showcasing their work, career and skilled-trade exhibits, agricultural and forestry equipment, and emergency response and public safety vehicles, along with family-friendly activities and educational experiences for children of all ages.
The event also includes a Sensory-Sensitive Hour from 1 to 2 p.m., during which participating exhibitors will reduce or eliminate lights, sirens and music to create a quieter, more comfortable experience for guests who benefit from reduced sensory stimulation.
Admission and exhibitor participation are free. Touch A Truck Wilkes is hosted by Touch A Truck Wilkes, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide a free annual experience where children and families explore vehicles and careers through hands-on experiences.
Event Information
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026
- Time: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Location: Wilkes County Agricultural Fairgrounds, 1416 W Park Ln., North Wilkesboro, NC 28659
- Admission: Free
- Weather: Rain or shine
- Sensory-Sensitive Hour: 1–2 p.m.
For more information, contact Misty McGuire Case, executive director of Touch A Truck Wilkes, at touchatruckwilkes@gmail.com.
