MARYSVILLE — The hills were alive with the sounds of honking horns and children laughing as thousands put on construction vests and hard hats to climb  aboard the dozens of trucks and vehicles at the city of Marysville’s annual Touch a Truck event on Saturday, Sept. 14.

Several city departments provided a total of 30 vehicles of all types and sizes — including fire engines, dump trucks, excavators, patrol cars, double-decker buses and more at the free event, which ran from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Totem Middle School’s Asbery Field.

“We had a really good turnout this year. I think it was only slightly less than last year because of the weather,” said Andrea Kingsford, recreation coordinator. “We had just under 2,000 people come through. There were a lot of people out, and we had a lot of great participants as far as vendors.  People stayed and took their time visiting. It wasn’t a sunny blue bird day, but it was warm and people enjoyed it.”

Touch a Truck has been a part of the Marysville community since 1996 and each year draws new visitors.

“This is our first year here and she is having a blast,” said Ryan Quimby, father of 3-year-old Rylie Quimby, who spent her time checking out fire trucks and service dogs. “I thought it was going to be a quick thing, but we’ve been here for a while.”

Of the 30 vehicles present at the event, several were new or different from previous years.

“From Public Works we had the new sweeper — a 2013 Tymco 500X Sweeper — and that was really cool,” said Kingsford. “We also had a Komatsu 88 excavator, also from Public Works, which was really popular. The Marysville Police Department brought in their 2013 Chevrolet Caprice — a brand new police car. This year we also had Boy Scouts Pack 80 and their Ford F-350, which they used in the Electric Lights Parade last year. They also brought out those little box cars and box car track, which was really fun and that was new this year.”

Gene Zipp brought his grandson Brayden Puno, 4, for the first time and said he would definitely return in the future.

“This is our first year. I found out about it through work, and it is just great,” said Zipp, while Puno was eyeing new trucks to climb into. “He’s having a great time, so it’s good to know it’s an annual event.”

Touch a Truck will return to Marysville in 2014, for its 18th year.

“People absolutely loved the event,” said Kingsford. “Families love to come out. Kids, parents, everyone gets excited about seeing big rigs.”

The city of Marysville Public Works Department handed out free safety vests and hard hats for kids, while the Rotary Club of Marysville brought out their train for rides around the park.

“Kids love seeing all the trucks, especially like big garbage trucks,” said Kingsford. “They see them drive in front of their house every week, so they are really interested in getting up close and checking them out.”

For more information on Touch a Truck or Marysville recreation events visit www.marysvillewa.gov.