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Sunday, October 6, 2024
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Big Wheels is a Big Deal for Families

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”.

Haley Searls
Haley Searls
Hello! My name is Haley Searls. I’ve loved writing from an early age, though my nonfiction writing at five years old consisted mainly of weather and gardening reports. I still have some of those early articles: “It’s sunny.” “It’s still sunny.” “It’s raining.” I’m glad to say my writing has improved since then. I wrote a guest post for the Silver Bay Public Library blog, and was the writer/editor of the newsletter for my American Heritage Girls troop. I have been writing for the North Shore Journal since June 2022. Besides writing, I love reading, drawing, photography, music, and spending time with family and friends. Two books that have really influenced my writing are Reforming Journalism by Marvin Olasky and Writer to Writer by Bodie and Brock Thoene. As a journalist, I want to share positive community interactions and inspire people to make lasting connections. Article topics that interest me are ones which show community activities and involvement. Such articles include community events, youth accomplishments, library programming, small businesses, local history, local artists and authors, art programs, and cultural events such as theater and dance. If you have an article idea, email the North Shore Journal with my name in the subject line! I look forward to hearing from you!
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