Kids, parents turn out for Big Truck Day
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » The message on Walt Strassburg’s T- shirt says it all: “Still playing with trucks.”
“I started out with Matchboxes,” the Gansevoort resident said. “Now I’m up to a full- size 1952 LM Mack. It was used to move drilling rigs in the Texas oil fields.”
His beautifully restored, antique vehicle was among the many on hand for Big Truck Day festivities at Maple Avenue Middle School on Saturday. The event is an annual fundraiser for Children’s Museum of Saratoga programs and exhibits
More than 2,500 children and adults turned out to view all kinds of trucks used by fire companies, highway departments, waste haulers, construction firms and many other local businesses.
Strassburg works for Hudson Falls- based Paul Collins Trucking, and has been driving for 40 years.
A message painted on the side of his Mack says: “Old trucks are like old friends. They last with patience and care.”
“It’s my toy. I can sit in a bar and drink or polish an old truck,” Strassburg said, smiling. “My wife doesn’t like either.”
On a serious note, the truck’s restoration was dedicated to his disabled son, Robert.
A sign on the cab’s door says: “Special Needs Trans- port.”
Tom Sadlon showed off a 1919 Model T Ford delivery truck that belongs to Allerdice Building Supply.
“You shift with your feet, two speeds forward, one reverse,” he said. “It’s got a one- ton chassis, a 20 horsepower, 170 cubic inch engine and goes 1520 mph tops.”
Museum Executive Director Sarah Syden said, “The goal here is to give kids and families a really fun day where they can check out how these trucks work. They can climb on them and see what it feels like to sit inside, and just explore and have a good time. What’s neat is adults are having a good time, too.”
Mark Dayter, of Latham, seemed to be having just as much fan as his 6-year- old son, Austin.
“When you’re a kid you always thought about being a fireman, ambulance driver or truck driver,” he said. “It’s nice to see some of these trucks, which you see out on the road, up close and personal.”
Ali Kelly, of Saratoga Springs, said, “This is a great experience for little kids. They get to learn about the different trucks and what they could po- tentially be doing when they get a little older.”
Assistant Chief Gary Bullard, of Maple Avenue Fire Department, said the event introduced children to the equipment firefighters use, in addition to their big red trucks.
“Hopefully in 10 or 20 years they’ll be interested and join,” he said. “But most of them don’t like the horns.”