Touch-A-Truck Makes New Rochelle Grand Market Debut

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Children and families will be able to explore a fire engine, ambulance and other specialty vehicles on Touch-a-Truck day at the August 12 New Rochelle downtown Grand Market, an event that will also be enlivened by colorful Mexican dances and the dedication of a sculpture by nationally prominent artist R.M. Fischer. The events are part of the market held Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Ruby Dee Park at Library Green on Huguenot Street from Lawton Street to Memorial Highway.

“There’s no such thing as an ordinary day at the Grand Market, but this one will be extra special,” said BID Executive Director Ralph DiBart. “Kids will get a chance to see, touch and explore the trucks and other vehicles operated by the heroes who keep our city safe, clean and running smoothly. The Mexican dancers will delight visitors and the dedication of the R.F. Fischer sculpture will mark the addition of a new beacon in one of downtown’s most prominent spots.”

For Touch-a-Truck Day, children and families will be able to learn first-hand about the fire truck and other vehicles from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors will be able to sit in the drivers’ seats, touch levers and flip switches on the vehicles, with the professionals who use them daily on hand to show them how.

For the event, the portion of Lawton Street in front of the Library Green, closer to Huguenot Street, will be closed to vehicle traffic.

“This is an opportunity to showcase the City’s vehicle fleet and our dedicated staff who serve the City day in and day out,” said New Rochelle City Manager Chuck Strome.

At 10:30 a.m., New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson will lead the dedication of the sculpture “Twilight at Dawn,” which was donated to the BID by Fischer, whose works have become visual signature pieces and icons from San Francisco to Kansas City to Brooklyn. Surrounded by a small garden, the sculpture comes to the city after spending 17 years in front of the Sony Studios headquarters in Culver City, California, in the Los Angeles area.

At 1 p.m., the Calpulli Mexican Dancers will regale the audience in brightly colored costumes and traditional dances. They will be joined by the students in the New Rochelle Public Library’s summer Mexican dance classes who will show what they’ve learned.

Of course, market-goers will continue to enjoy the same treats offered every week: the farm-fresh produce, hand-made crafts and artworks and New York State spirits. The Bona Bona ice cream truck will be on hand to offer frosty summer treats, and kids can also have fun with a face painter and hands-on craft activities.

“This will be a Grand Market day like no other — but with all the treats available every week,” said Jennifer Furioli, director of the Grand Market. “With the Touch-A-Truck event, it will be a day that children will remember for a long time, and with the sculpture dedication marks a new look for the park at the heart of downtown that will last well into the future.”

Photo credit: Submitted.