Logging trucks, fire trucks, police cars, an ambulance, a Zamboni, and more all congregated in the William Kelley School parking lot the evening of May 10 for Big Wheels, an annual tradition sponsored by the Silver Bay Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE).
Kathy Trumbull started Big Wheels in the mid 1980s, and Big Wheels has been an annual event ever since, minus one weather cancellation and a COVID-19 hiatus. Children and their families come to see the “big wheels” of the community: trucks, semis, loaders, heavy equipment, tanker trucks, and cranes. While not having wheels, one year featured a helicopter.
Children have the opportunity to tour most of the vehicles, giving them a first hand view of the vehicles that work in the community. One of the highlights of Big Wheels is the school bus. Kim Lenski, Early Childhood Coordinator for the Lake Superior School District, says that the volunteers for the event are amazing. Many community members participate, and some businesses bring multiple trucks. Troy LeBlanc was a “great help” in contacting the businesses and organizations who brought vehicles.
“Families were so excited to have Big Wheels back,” Lenski said. “It was really fun to see several people who attended Big Wheels as children and were now back as parents and/or volunteers.”
For some families, Big Wheels has become a multi-generation event. People who brought their children to Big Wheels are now returning with their grandchildren. Well over 300 people attended Big Wheels this year, and many said this was the highlight of spring for their children.
“I got to see a police truck and a logging truck. It was so much fun! We also got to see a dump truck. I hope we can go again someday!” elementary schooler, Mercia, said. Her brother Tait added, “I love the logging truck and the mini excavator!”. Another elementary schooler, Lilly, commented, “It was really fun and I want to go next year and there were so many different big wheels!”
Perhaps Mercia’s youngest brother summed it up best: “There was a bunch of trucks! We got to go inside the trucks!”
Thanks to all the community members who participated and to those community helpers who serve day after day in their “big wheels”.
