RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - Designed to showcase some of the big trucks that help run the community, Big Truck Day drew a crowd to Upper Stonehouse Park on June 6. 

Despite the onset of a heat wave, enthusiasm remained high for the event, which was geared toward children aged 2 to 6. Activities included digging in the sand with kid-sized excavators, blowing bubbles in the shade, visiting informational tables with fun activities, marveling at the heavy equipment and enjoying an iced drink or an early lunch.

As a bonus, the attendees could look across the street to see heavy equipment working as grading began in the Residences East and West subdivision.  

Big Truck Day was sponsored by the Cosumnes River Activities League, a nonprofit organization founded by Rancho Murieta residents Matt and Meagan Bigaman to engage young people through empowering events. By the event’s end,  they had given away 210 of the 250 kid-sized hard hats. 

 “It was a huge success,” Matt Bigaman said. “We were super happy with the community support.”

One of the attendees was Oli Seagraves, who watched as his 2-year-old Coa operated a mini excavator in the sand trap. 

“This is awesome,” he said. “It’s great for the kids to get a little dirty and to have some fun.” 

The sand trap and vendor Bubble Mania were the biggest hits, according to Bigaman. But the SMUD boom trucks also were a big attraction.

“SMUD was one of the biggest cash sponsors out there,” Bigaman said. “They were very generous and contributed a lot of manpower and a lot of equipment. “

Parent Luke Iverson watched as lineman Ryan Coulson showed his two sons, Hayden and Hudson how to use a hot stick to work on an overhead line that was strung between two SMUD trucks. “It’s pretty cool that they are getting some insight into what the guys at SMUD do,” he said.

Rancho Murieta Association (RMA) Maintenance Manager Troy Schaffner and his crew helped with the event's setup and teardown. 

“The RMA Maintenance guys were really invested in creating a great event for the community,” Bigaman said.

Shaffner said his crews put the Rancho Murieta Association masticator, street sweeper, boom truck and backhoe on display. 

“But we ended up coning everything off because we didn’t have the staff to break away,” he said.

Shaffner was pleasantly surprised by the turnout.

“I was so happy to see all the kids out there,” he said. “Hopefully, they will do it again next year  and we get to participate.” 

As for other participants, Bigaman said that Hanford Sand and Gravel and Hastie's Capital Sand and Gravel both donated sand and showcased their big trucks. Cal Waste Management brought a garbage truck and a spin-the-wheel recycling game. The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District came with the Station 59 fire engine and several firefighters gave out stickers. The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office displayed its BearCat armored personnel carrier. 

Although they didn’t come in a truck, two Mule Creek State Prison correctional officers delighted youngsters by letting them try on bulletproof vests and look through ballistic shields.

Two food trucks, Kona Ice and Dubbs Lunch Box, also helped keep everyone cool and fed.

The league’s next event will be a fundraiser, Comedy Under the Stars, at Lake Clementia Amphitheater on Aug. 10.  

“This event isn’t just about enjoying a roster of Sacramento’s finest comedians: it’s about uniting for a cause that empowers and safeguards our community’s future,” according to a description on the league’s website. 

 VIP and general admission tickets cost $100 and $45 respectively and can be purchased at https://cosumnesriveractivitliesleague.com/events.