Saturday, May 17, 2025 | 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
📍 Red Arrow Park, Downtown Milwaukee
🎟️ FREE and open to the public
Big Truck Day is back for its fourth year in a row, rolling into Red Arrow Park on Saturday, May 17 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., just in time to kick off National Public Works Week.
This free event is a dream come true for truck-loving kids (and grownups!). Families can get up close to dozens of big rigs from the Department of Public Works, Milwaukee Fire Department, Milwaukee Police Department, and even the Milwaukee County Transit System.
🚚 What You’ll See
Kids can explore vehicles like:
- A front-end loader, street sweeper, grapple saw, plow truck, and more from Public Works
- A BearCat tactical vehicle, mounted horse patrol, and bomb squad command post from Milwaukee Police
- A fire engine and the Survive Alive House mobile unit from Milwaukee Fire
- A full-size Milwaukee County Transit System bus
- The Milwaukee Public Library outreach vehicle
- NEW this year: a tree climbing demo from the City’s forestry team and a $5 tropical plant sale
🎉 Family-Friendly Fun
There’s so much more to enjoy:
- Arts & crafts with Artists Working in Education (A.W.E.)
- Bubble playtime
- Free face painting
- Lawn games
- Recycling activity for kids
- Book sale with Friends of the Milwaukee Public Library
- Photos with not one, but two Hero Pups!
Plus, don’t miss the food truck park with meals and snacks for the whole family.
🎁 Giveaways
This year’s giveaways include:
- 1,000 child-sized construction hats
- 1,000 construction-themed goodie bags
🧠 Sensory-Friendly Hour
A quiet hour will be offered from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. — no horns or sirens — to support families who prefer a lower-sensory experience.
🅿️ Parking & Street Closures
- $3 parking at the 1000 N. Water Street parking structure
- Expanded event footprint with street closures:
- Water St. (Kilbourn Ave. to State St.)
- State St. (Water St. to Market St.)
- Kilbourn Ave. (Water St. to Market St.)
🗓️ Rain Date
In case of bad weather, Saturday, May 31 is the scheduled rain date.
💬 Opening Remarks
Mayor Cavalier Johnson and DPW Commissioner Jerrel Kruschke will give opening remarks at 11:15 a.m.
Big Truck Day is brought to you by Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21, in partnership with the City of Milwaukee and many local sponsors. It’s a joyful celebration of the people, equipment, and services that keep Milwaukee running.
📲 For updates and more information, visit milwaukeedowntown.com.
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
