{"id":128021,"date":"2025-08-13T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-13T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com\/?p=128021"},"modified":"2025-08-13T11:30:40","modified_gmt":"2025-08-13T15:30:40","slug":"smiles-all-around-for-splish-splashs-touch-a-truck-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com\/2025\/08\/128021\/smiles-all-around-for-splish-splashs-touch-a-truck-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Smiles all around for Splish Splash’s ‘Touch a Truck Day’"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Lights were flashing, sirens were blaring and children were smiling at Splish Splash’s annual ‘Touch a Truck Day’<\/a> on Tuesday, Aug. 12. The event coincided with the water park’s Hero Appreciation Week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Little ones and their families had the opportunity to sit in a fire truck, go inside an ambulance, see the inside of a Cybertruck and learn about local first responders and what they do. The Riverhead Police Department, Riverhead Fire Department, Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance and the U.S. Army were all there to interact and answer questions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The water park’s mascot, Splish, also made an appearance, checking out the vehicles for himself and taking some pictures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It’s more of a learning moment. We try to teach the kids that there’s nothing to be scared about if you have to, God forbid, go into the ambulance,” said Joseph Oliver, vice president of the Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance<\/a>. “And show them that going in the ambulance is not all about getting shots, and nothing to be scared of.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kids were able to sit behind the wheel of the Cybertruck and the fire truck, see all the bells and whistles they come with, pretend to drive them to the scene and get photos while doing so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It’s nice to go to events like this, where it’s all family-oriented,” said Mr. Oliver. “All of us have kids, so it’s nice to be able to link up like that.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n