Communities Gather for NIPCO Touch-a-Truck Events

NIPCO staff engaged with community members at two Touch-a-Truck events held in August and September within the NIPCO service territory.

NIPCO Lucas Else allows two youngsters to step into a transmission basket truck during the August 7 Touch-a-Truck event in Manning, Iowa.

On August 7, the NIPCO South Outpost Crew brought a transmission bucket truck to the Manning Market, Meals, and Music Event. This annual event, hosted by Manning Area Partners, draws hundreds of people to Manning's downtown Historic Main Street in support of community development. NIPCO Lineman Lucas Else showcased the vehicle and explained how line crews use it to maintain and restore power to the community of Manning and the surrounding area. Else also displayed various tools and hardware used by electric transmission line workers. Children and their families toured the truck, learned about the equipment, interacted with staff, took photos, and received Touch-a-Truck stickers.

In September, families throughout the Le Mars area turned out in force on Saturday, September 27, for NIPCO's second annual Touch-a-Truck event at the Olson Event Center in Downtown Le Mars. Timed to coincide with the season's final Le Mars Farmers Market, the morning event provided children and adults alike with a rare opportunity to interact with vehicles that typically speed past on highways, respond to emergencies, or perform fieldwork.

NIPCO held its 2nd Annual Touch-a-Truck event in downtown Le Mars on Saturday, September 27, 2025.

Throughout the three-hour Le Mars event, attendees explored a dozen different vehicles representing various sectors of community service and industry. Local emergency responders brought an ambulance and fire truck for visitors to examine, while the Plymouth County Sheriff's office displayed their specialized SWAT van. North West Rural Electric Cooperative (REC) and MidAmerican Energy featured their basket trucks used for distribution line maintenance, and NIPCO displayed its newest transmission line basket truck, giving families insight into electric utility work and being able to chat with linemen. The lineup also featured a cement mixer truck, garbage truck, school bus, semi-cab and trailer, and tractor.

NIPCO Office Assistant Lauren Hannasch, who coordinated vehicle registration with participating organizations, observed strong enthusiasm from area groups eager to showcase their equipment at the 2025 event. "Several of our participants from 2024's event were thrilled to be included again this year," she said. "The feedback from attendees has been really positive, as the event provides families with a unique, hands-on learning experience they can't get anywhere else."

Eric Berkenpas and his son, Bentley, and NIPCO employees Jodi Emerson (left) and Amy Grage (right) handed out suckers and plastic hard hats to the kids at the 2025 Touch-a-Truck event.

Vehicle operators and representatives stayed with their equipment throughout the morning, answering questions and explaining how each truck serves the community. Eric Berkenpas, a lineman on the NIPCO Le Mars crew, is proud to talk about the work he performs. "Now that I am a dad, I know how important it is for kids to be able to interact with the equipment and see what we do on a day-to-day basis. Maybe it will even inspire a future lineman!"

A beautiful September morning contributed to strong attendance, with hundreds of children cycling through the vehicle displays. Young visitors climbed into cabs, honked horns, and imagined themselves behind the wheel of the oversized machines. NIPCO staff handed out nearly 250 plastic yellow hard hats, stickers, and suckers to the kids.

Beyond entertainment value, NIPCO's Touch-a-Truck events offer educational benefits while demonstrating the cooperative principle of "Commitment to Community" by connecting local businesses, essential service providers, and residents during community celebrations. These events also reinforce NIPCO's role in sourcing and transmitting reliable power throughout western Iowa.

A young event-goer dons a hard hat and steps into a utility bucket during NIPCO's Touch-a-Truck event.

NIPCO recognizes and thanks the participating organizations that made the Le Mars Touch-a-Truck event possible: Anthony P&L Trucking, GCC Ready Mix, Le Mars AgriVision, Le Mars Community School District, Le Mars Fire Rescue, Le Mars Police Department, MidAmerican Energy Company, North West REC, Plymouth County Sheriff, Schuster's Trucking, and Van's Sanitation.