Cole McNiven enjoys an operations tutorial with RDO Manager John Hurd as teams prepare for DigIt Days, 2019. (Courtesy photo)
Yellowstone Dig it Days is just around the corner. This one-day event is constructive, family wholesome and educational, promoting knowledge and safety with equipment operation that digs in the ground. Families will learn about what it takes to stay safe when digging. The event is set to take place on Saturday, August 17, 2019 from 10 am – 4pm off the Johnson Lane I-90 Exit Interchange.
This unique fund-raising event offers a wonderful experience for the whole family with the biggest display of static heavy equipment, trucks, farm equipment, and emergency services vehicles ever assembled in Yellowstone County. Kids can explore, inspect, take pictures and safely learn the ins and outs of heavy equipment. Emergency services vehicles from the local fire station and ambulance service will also be on hand for learning and experience.
There will be the rare opportunity to operate select equipment with an adult safely supervising inside the cab and outside. Age restriction requirements will be required for operating the backhoes and track hoes. Each backhoe will be fenced off with a safety fence outside with a safety person outside each safety fence. Two safety individuals will be assigned for each piece of equipment. The adults safely operating the equipment are already trained on the equipment they use in their normal jobs. There is still a possibility of a big dump truck to give rides inside the cab of the truck (not in the truck bed). The monster sized truck will be operated by a local trained operator or truck driver.
For the inevitable hungry bellies, there will be food vendors on site with delicious, and refreshing options available for purchase. Water bottles will be available.
A local concrete company will help families create personiled stepping stones to decorate and take home during the event. The decorated stepping stones can dry while kids enjoy the biggest “king of the hill” sand pile ever, and lots of construction toys with which to play. Booths will offer other fun activities and safety information to help educate the attendees on safety when digging or being around farm, ranch, construction and/or any other equipment or means for digging in the ground.
T-shirts will be available to the first 500 attendees, as well as play safety helmets for little ones.
There will be an abundance of shaded areas provided for cooling rest, and relaxation.
This all-day event will take place at an open field near the intersection of Interstate 90 and Johnson Lane, thanks to the generosity of Town Pump. The exact location is 2949 N. Frontage Rd in Lockwood, MT 59101.
