Columbia, South Carolina – Columbia’s downtown market will once again make room for big wheels, bright curiosity and a close-up look at the machines that help keep the city moving.
The 2026 City of Columbia Touch-A-Truck event is returning for its fourth year at Soda City Market, bringing residents and families to the 1700 block of Main Street on Saturday, May 16, 2026.
The free event will run from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., offering children and adults a hands-on chance to explore some of the city’s largest trucks, service vehicles and heavy equipment.
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Hosted by the City of Columbia Public Works Department in collaboration with Soda City and several city departments, the event is designed to turn everyday municipal work into an interactive community experience.
Instead of simply seeing trucks pass by on the street, visitors will be able to get close to the equipment, ask questions and learn how these vehicles support the daily work that keeps Columbia operating.
A wide group of city departments and partners will take part, including the Columbia Police Department, Columbia-Richland Fire Department, City of Columbia Parks & Recreation, Columbia Water, Fleet Services, Parking Department, Street Division, Solid Waste Division, Columbia Animal Services, Community Development, and Public Relations, Media, & Marketing.
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The lineup will include some of the equipment residents may recognize from roadwork, public safety, maintenance and city service operations. Featured vehicles and demonstrations are expected to include a backhoe, mini-excavator, bomb-disposal robot and more.
For many young visitors, the event will offer the simple thrill of standing beside machines they usually only see from a distance. For adults, it will be a chance to better understand the work happening behind the scenes across Columbia.
City staff will be on-site throughout the event to explain how the trucks work and what role they play in keeping the City of Columbia thriving. The event also gives residents a chance to connect directly with the people who operate the equipment, maintain city services and respond to community needs every day.
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Families are encouraged to attend and bring their children. With Soda City Market as the backdrop, the fourth annual Touch-A-Truck event will blend learning, fun and civic pride into one lively Saturday morning on Main Street.
