Ontario Construction News staff writer
Central Precast is once again supporting one of Ottawa’s most popular family-friendly industry events, reaffirming its commitment to community engagement and workforce awareness through its sponsorship of the 2026 Touch a Truck event.
Hosted by the Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association’s Ottawa Chapter, the free event will take place on Sat., July 18, starting at 9 a.m. at the Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Ave.
Designed for children, families and community members, Touch a Truck offers visitors the opportunity to explore a wide range of construction, landscaping and heavy equipment up close. Excavators, dump trucks, skid steers, loaders, ride-on mowers and other industry vehicles will be on display, with operators available to explain how the equipment is used to build and maintain communities.
“Big trucks, big smiles, and a great day for the community,” Central Precast said in announcing its sponsorship. “We’re proud to once again sponsor this year’s Touch a Truck event and support an initiative that brings families, industry and the community together.”
Organizers say the event serves a dual purpose: providing an engaging educational experience for young visitors while introducing families to the wide variety of careers available in the construction, landscaping and horticultural sectors.
To ensure the event is accessible for everyone, a silent hour will be held from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., during which no equipment will be operated and no horns or engine noise will be permitted. All equipment will remain stationary throughout the event, allowing visitors to safely climb aboard and interact with operators. The Nepean Sportsplex also offers ample green space for families wishing to bring a picnic lunch.
Landscape Ontario is also encouraging industry participation by inviting contractors, equipment suppliers and manufacturers to exhibit their machinery.
The Ottawa event is one of several Touch a Truck events being organized across Ontario this year. Additional events are scheduled for Burlington on July 18 and Thornbury on Sept. 12, with each designed to connect local communities with the equipment, technology and career opportunities that drive Ontario’s landscape and construction industries.
