Meet the Machines This Saturday

The seventh annual "Meet the Machines" will be held on Saturday, May 21. from 10am-3pm.

" Bring your kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews," said A.J. Ford, vice president of marketing at vice president, marketing at Budrovich Contracting, which hosts the event in partnership with McCarthy Building Companies, MC Industrial, Midwest Aerials & Equipment, Luby Equipment, Schnucks Markets, Guarantee Electric Company, and Helitech.

Meet the Machines is a free, family outing held annually at the Budrovich Excavating & Contracting headquarters, which is in an old quarry located at 10328 Lake Bluff Drive in St. Louis, MO. Since its inception, the event has hosted over 30,000 attendees.

The purpose of the educational event is to introduce children, ages 3-15 years old, to the heavy equipment side of the construction business. The first 2,000 kids receive a Meet the Machines hard hat and other giveaways. Annually the event showcases interactive, hands-on elements with various aspects related to the construction industry. Children and adults, alike, have the opportunity to climb aboard and explore giant excavation and hoisting machinery. Additionally, visitors participate in educational activities such as "digging" for prizes or operating a crane via a training simulator. There are opportunities to operate some of the equipment, ride in aerial lifts and much more.

There are games and prizes, face painting and opportunities to get pictures taken with local sports team mascots, other local celebrities and, of course, the heavy machinery itself. The event is free to the public. Food and beverages are available to attendees at a minimal cost.

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