BANGOR, Maine — The parking lot and lawn of the Cole Land Transportation Museum in Bangor were filled with 64 different types of trucks, cars, helicopters, and motorcycles for the second annual Transportation Festival.
It was the third event of the weekend as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the Cole Foundation, which runs the museum.
As much fun as the "touch-a-truck" brought visitors, Museum Director Jennifer Munson said the event was also about supporting groups such as the Maine Veterans Project.
"Giving them the camaraderie that they need. Letting them talk to children and giving them the friendship, the love, and care they deserve," Munson said.
The event is also about inspiring the next generation of transportation professionals.
"America runs on these transportation fields. If we don't have enough of the workers, they're going to fall apart," she said.
Hopeful to be in that next generation is third-grader Winter, who aspires to be an EMT.
"It will help people," Winter said. "And maybe when I grow up, more kids will help people."
Encouraging kids like her is junior firefighter for Bradford is Riley Brasslett. He said he recalled being inspired when he was as young as Winter.
"I always thought the guys in the turnout gear were superheroes when I was a kid. Ever since then, I don't know, I always wanted to be one of them," he said.
Still in high school and not yet fighting fires, Brasslett still finds the work he does meaningful.
"Even though I can't do much, I like it. I love it," he said. "I wouldn't replace it for anything else."