The event, sponsored by the Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities, has in the past typically been held outside, but due to inclement weather was moved inside to the high school gymnasium this year.

The event, which was free to the public, featured inflatables and games for the children, several vendor tables and concession food sold to benefit the developmental disabilities class at the school and a touch-a-truck event outside the school entrance in which Calcutta Volunteer Fire Department, Columbiana County Community Action Agency Mobility Unit and the St. Clair Township Road Department participated.

The St. Clair Township Road Department brought its dump truck with snowplow on it and had children use markers to sign their names on the plow.

St. Clair Township police officers were present, interacting with families at the event.

Larry Males signs his name on the St. Clair Township Road Department’s snowplow during the Touch-A-Truck event. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

The event is held to raise awareness for autism and the support services that are available.

Alli Coke, who attended the event with her family, wore an Autism Awareness shirt for her 2-year-old son Kohen, who last month was diagnosed with Autism level 3. She said events like the Autism Awareness mean a lot, especially since it’s something that has recently hit her family and its opened her eyes to the lack of supports and the supports available such as Help Me Grow, which she uses through the Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities. She noted that she wished there was more awareness and more support available.

Calcutta Volunteer Fire Department, Columbiana County Community Action Agency Mobility Unit and the St. Clair Township Road Department participated in the Touch-A-Truck event. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

Alli Coke wears matching Autism awareness T-shirts with her son Kohen, 2, who was recently diagnosed with Autism. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

Logan Conley, 10, Hayden Conley, 7, and Jaiven Perez, 4, enjoy the bounce houses. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

Dale Deeken helps his son Michael, 1, to put a football into the target.  (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

Michael Deeken, 1, plays with a football. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

Anniston Bach, 9 and Tinsley Coke, 7, throw footballs at a stationary target. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

Children wait their turn to get in the bounce house. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

Madison Stephens, 8, and her sister Myah, 5, go down the bounce house slider together. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

Carolyn Faloon, 5, and her brother Caleb enjoy the bounce houses. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)