The Charlotte Joy Touch-A-Truck Festival Returns October 10th to Raise Money for Kids Battling Cancer

The 5th Annual Charlotte Joy Touch-A-Truck Festival returns to the East Freehold Showgrounds in Freehold, New Jersey, on Saturday, October 10, 2026. Billed as the largest event of its kind on the East Coast, the festival runs from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (with a scheduled rain date of Sunday, October 11) and offers a day of hands-on, family-friendly interactive fun.

All proceeds from the event directly benefit The Ashley Lauren Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing financial, material, and emotional support to New Jersey families navigating pediatric cancer. The festival honors the memory of Charlotte Joy Scalese, a courageous six-year-old who passed away in 2023 following a battle with Stage 4 neuroblastoma.

Attendees of all ages can explore, climb aboard, and interact with an extensive variety of large-scale vehicles and specialized machinery, including:
– Emergency & First Responder Vehicles: Fire engines, police cruisers, and rescue equipment.
– Heavy Equipment & Commercial Vehicles: Tri-axle dump trucks, excavators, big rigs, school buses, vintage buses, and roll-offs.
– Specialty & Unique Sightings: Classic and custom automobiles, exotic sports cars, race cars, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, the Re/Max hot air balloon, and live helicopter landings.

Beyond the truck displays, the festival site features a dynamic range of family entertainment:
– Live Performances & Characters: Stage shows, live music, and special costumed character appearances throughout the grounds.
– Kids Zone & Amusements: Mechanical rides, pony rides, face painting, mobile arcade trailers, interactive games, and bubble shows.
– Food & Local Vendors: A diverse collection of local food trucks offering meals, snacks, and desserts alongside local artisan and business vendor booths.

Event Details:
Date & Time: Saturday, October 10, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Rain Date: Sunday, October 11, 2026)
Location: East Freehold Showgrounds, 1500 Kozloski Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
Admission: $20 per ticket

Tickets and vendor details are available online via Eventbrite or through The Ashley Lauren Foundation’s official website.

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