Trucks dig in the ground and lift things in the air. Some have sirens and some just have horns. But where can you go to see all those kinds of trucks and more?

Big Trucks!

Parents and children alike have come to love the annual event to support the Skaneateles Nursery School and Marcellus Parent Nursery School. For the last 15 years, Saunders Quarry on Limeledge Road in Marcellus has been opening the gravel pits for trucks to park and kids to climb in and out of the apparatus and simply enjoy a day of being kids.

“It’s a big hit with the kids because they get to climb in and around and on the trucks,” said Kristen Rossi. “They’re allowed to get in the sand and dirt.”

Rossi’s son, 4-year-old Will, is a student at the Skaneateles Nursery School. Along with her job as a mom, though, Rossi is also the publicity co-chairperson for Big Trucks along with Emily Weeks.

Last week, Rossi was busy tying up loose ends and taking fliers around to schools in the surrounding communities. On Wednesday, she and Will were in Weedsport visiting the schools and handing out information.

“We invite preschools, we send letters and maps and coloring pages,” she said. “We really try to reach out and invite as many kid oriented programs as we can.”

Dee Sweet has one of the biggest jobs in putting the event together — literally the biggest.

“I’m in charge of getting the trucks there,” Sweet said. “They come and bring a vehicle and leave it unlocked.”

In past years, she has been able to have someone from P&C come with a semi. They open up the back of the trailer and kids go wild playing inside.

“We’ve got everything from backhoes and Bobcats and we try to get some farm stuff there,” Sweet said.

Not only do children have the chance to climb in, on and around the trucks, but there also is a huge sand pile — three dump truck loads of sand, according to Sweet — that they get to play and search for “diamonds” in. The event has brought out more than 2,000 people in the past.

“It’s this totally awesome event. You pull in and you’re essentially in this quarry,” Sweet said.

The event isn’t just a fundraiser for the schools, though. It’s a way for the nursery schools to give back to their communities. With the funds raised, there are scholarships set up to help families who may not be able to afford childcare and for graduating high school seniors.

“We give what we can,” Sweet said. “The more successful it is the more we can give back.”

Down in the quarry

WHAT: Big Trucks, sponsored by Todd’s Fund

WHEN: From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday Sept. 28

WHERE: Saunders Quarry on Limeledge Road in Marcellus

COST: $4 a person at the gate, children 2 and under are free