Here is the event for any kid who gleefully plows a yellow Tonka dump truck through the mud bellowing “vrrrrrooooommmmm.”

City of Oak Harbor’s Public Works is hosting a Touch-A-Truck event and open house noon to 3 p.m. Tuesday at 1400 NE 16th Ave.

Kids and kids-at-heart can climb inside the cab of the city’s big rigs: garbage trucks, dump trucks, street sweepers, a backhoe, a vactor truck, a swap loader and a gigantic monster-of-a-mower.

“Sitting on the back of a garbage truck throwing cans — that is every little boy’s dream,” said George Place, the city’s lead solid waste collector.

Place loves his job — although he now operates a robotic arm from inside the truck that does the can tossing. He and other operators will be there to show kids how the machines work.

The professionals also will give demonstrations.

The city’s archaeologist plans to be on hand too.

Kids can get a colorful plastic hard hat, balloons, snacks and educational material on stormwater conversation and the like.

This is the first time public works has invited the public on site to get a close look at the big rigs, said Sandra Place, the city’s budget and purchasing specialist.

She’s also married to George Place.

The city is holding a series of events as part of Oak Harbor’s centennial celebration. She wanted to do something that was fun and educational. Public Works holds an annual Big Rig day at Hillcrest Elementary for the first graders and the kids love it — both boys and girls.

“What does public works do,” she said.

“We want to show them in a way that’s more fun.”

Other upcoming centennial events include:

Police Department Open House, 3-7 p.m. at the station, 860 S.E. Barrington Drive. Includes station tour, vehicle display and safety information.

Utilities Department Open House, all October, City Hall, 865 S.E. Barrington Drive. Drop by and pick up free Halloween candy.

Centennial Photo Display, time to be determined, Nov. 4, Regency on Whidbey, 1040 S.W. Kimball Drive.

Holiday Open House, 4-7 p.m., Dec. 10, City Hall, 865 S.E. Barrington Drive. Refreshments and prizes.