Last Updated on September 23, 2026 1:37 pm
NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. — September 21, 2026 — Touch A Truck Wilkes celebrated its sixth annual event on Saturday, September 19, welcoming 3,256 attendees to the Wilkes County Agricultural Fairgrounds for a day of hands-on exploration, career discovery and community connection.
The free community event brought together 72 businesses and organizations, 50 volunteers, and 126 vehicles and pieces of equipment, giving individuals and families an opportunity to climb into, explore and learn about the vehicles, equipment, businesses and careers that help keep the community moving.
“Every year, this event reminds us just how incredible our community is,” said Misty McGuire Case, Executive Director of Touch A Truck Wilkes. “Seeing thousands of people filling the fairgrounds, meeting professionals, exploring equipment and discovering careers is exactly why we started Touch A Truck Wilkes. We are incredibly grateful to every exhibitor, volunteer, sponsor and family who helped make this year's event possible.”
Connecting Career Discovery to Workforce Development
A new feature of the 2026 event was the Wilkes Community College Workforce Development Zone, making its debut at Touch A Truck Wilkes.
Wilkes Community College was on site helping individuals and families explore educational programs, training opportunities and career pathways that could lead to many of the jobs and professions they discovered throughout the event.
The Workforce Development Zone helped make a direct connection between discovering a career and learning how to prepare for that career. Attendees could learn about opportunities available through Wilkes Community College while exploring careers represented throughout the event.
“We were excited to have Wilkes Community College join us for the first year of our Workforce Development Zone,” Case said. “One of the goals of Touch A Truck Wilkes is to help people see possibilities for their future. Having the college there to help individuals and families understand the education and training pathways behind those careers takes that experience one step further.”
From heavy equipment and agricultural machinery to emergency response vehicles, public service equipment, skilled trades and other career-focused exhibits, the event provided opportunities for people of all ages to interact directly with professionals and learn about careers they may not encounter every day.
Touch A Truck Wilkes was created to connect people with real-world experiences while encouraging curiosity about skilled trades, agriculture, transportation, public service and diverse career opportunities. The event gives attendees an opportunity to meet the people who work in these fields while learning more about the education and training pathways that can help turn curiosity into a career.
A Community Coming Together
Touch A Truck Wilkes continues to bring together businesses, organizations, educational institutions, community partners and volunteers to create an experience centered around exploration and connection.
The event featured vehicles and equipment from a wide variety of industries, along with interactive exhibits, family resources, food vendors and other activities.
For many attendees, the opportunity to speak directly with professionals provided a chance to ask questions, learn about different types of work and discover careers they may not have previously considered.
Organizers extend a special thank-you to the 50 volunteers who helped with parking, safety, entrance and exit operations, guest services, exhibitor support, activities and other behind-the-scenes responsibilities.
“Safety has to come first, especially when you have thousands of people and families moving through one event,” Case said. “We are incredibly thankful for the patience and understanding our guests showed while our volunteers worked to keep everyone safe and accounted for.”
Touch A Truck Wilkes uses safety procedures designed to help keep families together, including group armbands and controlled entrance and exit procedures.
“We know waiting in line isn't always easy, particularly when you're excited to get inside and experience everything the event has to offer,” Case added. “We appreciate everyone who understood that our volunteers were doing everything they could to keep the event safe and organized.”
As Touch A Truck Wilkes begins looking toward its seventh annual event, organizers are already identifying ways to improve the guest experience. One of the biggest needs is more volunteers.
“If you enjoyed Touch A Truck Wilkes this year and want to help us make the lines move faster and the experience even smoother next year, we need you,” Case said. “The best way to help us grow is to bring more volunteers into the Touch A Truck family.”
Touch A Truck Wilkes also encourages attendees and exhibitors to continue sharing their experience. Attendees and exhibitors are invited to share their photos and stories from the event and tag Touch A Truck Wilkes. Community photos and memories help showcase the impact of the event and spread the word about future events.
Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors
Touch A Truck Wilkes extends its sincere appreciation to the sponsors whose support helped make this year's free community event possible:
- GFL Environmental North Wilkesboro
- IGA FairMarket Value
- Matt Matthews State Farm
- North Wilkesboro Rotary Club
- Pixels On Paper Photography
- SERVPRO of Wilkes and Alleghany
- Ted's Kickin' Chicken
“We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors for investing in Touch A Truck Wilkes and in the people and families we serve,” Case said. “Their support helps us keep this event free while providing meaningful opportunities for people to explore careers, learn about skilled trades and connect with their community.”
Continue Supporting Touch A Truck Wilkes
The 2026 event may be over, but there are still ways for the community to support Touch A Truck Wilkes. Event T-shirts are still available for purchase. Shirt ordering information and links are available through the Touch A Truck Wilkes social media pages for anyone who wants to purchase a shirt and continue showing their support.
Donations are always accepted. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Touch A Truck Wilkes relies on community support, sponsors and donations to help provide the free annual event and continue its mission throughout the year.
Touch A Truck Wilkes is a 501(c)(3) organization that hosts a free annual event where individuals and families explore vehicles and careers through hands-on experiences. The organization inspires curiosity about skilled trades, agriculture and diverse professions while promoting the value of trade education and workforce development.
The event connects individuals and families with local businesses, organizations, educational opportunities, resources and services while creating opportunities for meaningful community partnerships.
The 2026 event's success was made possible through the collective efforts of its exhibitors, sponsors, volunteers, community partners and attendees.
Touch A Truck Wilkes thanks everyone who helped make the sixth annual event one to remember — and looks forward to seeing the community again next year.
2026 Event by the Numbers
- 3,256 attendees
- 72 businesses and organizations represented
- 50 volunteers
- 126 vehicles and pieces of equipment on display
For more information about Touch A Truck Wilkes, future events, sponsorship opportunities, volunteering, event shirts or donations, follow Touch A Truck Wilkes on Facebook and Instagram or contact touchatruckwilkes@gmail.com.
