SPENCER — The hottest event of the year returns to the N.C. Transportation Museum in Spencer this weekend as the museum hosts the annual Fire Truck Festival on June 24.

This family favorite gathering of fire trucks and fire departments from around the region is the largest single-day event of the whole year at the N.C. Transportation Museum. Visitors to the museum can enjoy the Fire Truck Festival from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The museum, located at what was once Southern Railway’s Spencer Shops facility for maintaining steam locomotives, has a strong connection with firefighting. The Spencer Shops Fire Department was founded in the 1920s to combat any potential fires at the Southern Railway’s shops. The department consisted of three-reel teams of 11 men each, operating 2,000 feet of 2.5-inch fire hose. With many of the Southern Railway employees living in the adjacent towns, the Spencer Shops Fire Department’s firefighters also responded to the calls of the nearby community, lending a hand to the local fire departments, who relied on volunteers and might not be available to fight fires at all hours of the day.

A large variety of antique and modern-day fire trucks will be on display for photo opportunities. Firefighters will be available to visit with families throughout the day.

“This is one of our favorite events, largely because the fire departments are so welcoming and willing to talk with families about the important jobs they do,” said Kelly Alexander, executive director of the N.C. Transportation Museum. The Fire Truck Festival is sponsored by Atlantic Emergency Solutions, compleatKiDZ, Civic Federal Credit Union and Food Lion.

“An event like this would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors and partners,” Alexander added.

Joining the fun will be the N.C. Forestry Service with a tentative helicopter fly-in, the Charlotte Fire Department with their “Old Sue” 1902 steam pumper demonstrations and Norfolk Southern’s Operation Awareness and Response first responder’s safety train and locomotives. Live music will be provided by the Norfolk Southern Lawmen Band. Other activities throughout the day will include an obstacle course, inflatable games, jaws of life demonstrations, a “Sparky the Fire Dog” interactive, a kids firefighter costume contest, operating model train displays and more.

Train rides will be going on throughout the day at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., and can be combined with festival admission for $16 for adults, $14 for seniors/military, $12 for children 3-12 years of age, and free for members and children under age 3. Festival admission without the train ride is half the cost of combination tickets. Access to regular museum exhibits is also included with every ticket. NC sales tax and ticketing fees are additional. Advanced purchase is highly recommended.

The festivities will conclude with the People’s Choice Awards Presentation at 2:30 p.m. and then the popular fire truck parade starting at 3:15 p.m.

For more information about the festival, a complete schedule of events and activities, and to purchase tickets, go to www.nctransportationmuseum.org/fire-truck-festival or call the N.C. Transportation Museum at 704-636-2889.