September 19 | Touch-A-Truck at Johnson County Park
Get up close to trucks, vehicles, and equipment at Johnson County Parks' 4th Annual Touch-A-Truck. The first hour is sensory-friendly, with no lights or sirens, giving visitors who may find those sounds or visual effects overwhelming an opportunity to explore before the event becomes louder and busier. The free event also includes a children's zone, food trucks, vendors, music, and optional train rides.
Event Details
When: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Sensory-Friendly Hour: 10:00–11:00 AM
Where: Johnson County Park Shelter Area, 7248 S. Picnic Drive, Nineveh, IN 46164
Cost: Free
Format: In person
Accessibility: First hour is sensory-friendly with no lights or sirens
Registration: Not required for attendees
Event Details: Visit Johnson County Parks for event information
About This Event
Johnson County Parks is bringing back its annual Touch-A-Truck event for its fourth year, inviting visitors to get close to trucks, vehicles, and equipment of different sizes.
For families looking for a more sensory-considerate way to experience the event, the first hour, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, is designated as sensory-friendly with no lights or sirens.
The event is free and open to all ages. In addition to the vehicles, families can find a children's zone with inflatable bounce houses, food truck vendors, promotional vendors, and music from DJ Medic.
There is also an optional Indiana Live Steamers train ride. The approximately 25-minute ride travels through the plains and woods and costs $4 per person. Train rides run from 12:00–4:00 PM, departing from McClain Station.
Accessibility Highlights
Features Families May Appreciate:
Dedicated sensory-friendly first hour
No lights or sirens during the sensory-friendly hour
Free admission
Opportunity to explore vehicles and equipment up close
Outdoor event with room to move between activities
Children's activity area
Optional train ride
Helpful Planning Tips:
Consider arriving right at 10:00 AM to take advantage of the sensory-friendly hour.
The sensory-friendly portion ends at 11:00 AM, so families who are sensitive to lights or sirens may want to plan their visit around that window.
Bring familiar headphones, sunglasses, communication supports, or other sensory tools your family already uses.
Have a plan for taking breaks away from the main event area if needed.
If your child enjoys vehicles but not crowds, focusing on the first hour may make the experience more manageable.
The event includes music, bounce houses, food vendors, and other activities, so the environment may become busier after the sensory-friendly hour.
Who Might Enjoy This Event?
This event may be a good fit for:
Neurodivergent children and adults
Children who love trucks and emergency vehicles
Kids who enjoy exploring vehicles up close
Families looking for free weekend activities
Families who appreciate sensory-friendly event accommodations
Children who enjoy outdoor community events
Families looking for a first opportunity to try a Touch-A-Truck event
What Families May Want to Know
Before you go:
The event is free.
The sensory-friendly portion runs from 10:00–11:00 AM.
There will be no lights or sirens during the sensory-friendly hour.
The full event runs from 10:00 AM–2:00 PM.
The event takes place at the Johnson County Park Shelter Area.
Bounce houses, food trucks, vendors, and music are part of the event.
The optional Indiana Live Steamers train ride costs $4 per person and begins at noon.
There is no ATM on site, so plan accordingly.
Why Families May Appreciate It
Touch-A-Truck events can be exciting because they let children experience vehicles in a much more hands-on way than they normally would.
For some neurodivergent children, though, the same features that make these events exciting can also make them difficult. Sirens, flashing lights, music, crowds, and unexpected sounds can change the experience quickly.
Johnson County Parks' decision to begin the event with a full sensory-friendly hour without lights or sirens gives families another way to approach the experience.
Families do not have to stay for the entire event, either. For some children, the sensory-friendly hour may be the whole experience that works best. For others, it could be a chance to explore first and then decide whether they want to stay as the event becomes more active.
Plan Your Visit
☐ Plan for the 10:00–11:00 AM sensory-friendly hour
☐ Arrive early if your child benefits from a quieter environment
☐ Bring familiar sensory supports
☐ Explore the trucks and equipment at your child's pace
☐ Identify a quieter area for breaks
☐ Decide ahead of time whether the bounce houses or other activities are a good fit
☐ Bring payment if you want to ride the train
☐ Remember that the event may become louder and busier after 11:00 AM
What’s on Your Calendar?
Know about another sensory-friendly, inclusive, or family-friendly event happening in Central Indiana?
