Maybe it’s the way big trucks are so formidable and loud. Maybe it’s the way they are so powerful — capable of awe-inducing feats. Whatever the reason, they seem to exercise an almost hypnotic hold on children, eliciting a fascination that sometimes continues long into adulthood.

Saturday, big truck lovers of all ages will have the chance to explore the exteriors and interiors of 18 vehicles during “Little Hands, Big Trucks,” a charity fundraiser that will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at the Columbus Soccer Complex.

Photos with a Columbus Police Department patrol car and Columbus Fire and Rescue fire truck will be allowed at no charge. There is a $4 charge to enter and view the additional vehicles, and and gives wearers permission to enjoy a driver’s seat view and have photo taken. Parents are encouraged to bring cameras, as there will be no photographer on site.

Proceeds will go toward the United Way of Lowndes County.

Organizer Scott Ferguson, a United Way board member, modeled the event after one he attended in Tuscaloosa with his son, Bentley, three years ago.

“My little boy is obsessed with trucks,” Ferguson said. “And there’s no better organization than United Way for it to benefit.”

Other vehicles on hand will include 18-wheelers from Modular Transportation, two types of paving rollers from Falcon Contracting, a backhoe from Phillips Contracting Co., an 18-wheeler tow truck — one of the largest in the southeast — from Henry’s Towing, a tow truck from Atlas Recovery & Towing, a garbage truck from Waste Pro, an ambulance from Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, a Columbus Light & Water bucket truck, a John Deere tractor from Wade Incorporated, and two railroad support trucks from Columbus & Greenville Railway.

Railroad officials will discuss railroad safety, and employees with Modular Transportation will give a blind spot demonstration to show adults and children how far behind an 18-wheeler a car must be in order to be seen by the truck driver.

“It’s just a fun, kid-friendly event,” Ferguson said. “Sometimes it seems hard to find things for the kids to do. We’re hoping it will be a fun-filled Saturday morning with equipment you can’t get close to on a regular basis.”

Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.