a:25:{s:9:"weblog_id";s:1:"4";s:8:"entry_id";s:0:"";s:6:"sticky";s:0:"";s:14:"allow_comments";s:1:"n";s:16:"allow_trackbacks";s:1:"n";s:10:"entry_date";s:19:"2011-05-24 05:40 AM";s:15:"expiration_date";s:0:"";s:23:"comment_expiration_date";s:0:"";s:8:"category";a:1:{i:0;s:1:"4";}s:9:"author_id";s:1:"4";s:6:"status";s:4:"open";s:14:"trackback_urls";s:0:"";s:18:"versioning_enabled";s:1:"y";s:5:"title";s:43:"Riding High: 6,000 at \'Meet the Machines\'";s:9:"url_title";s:37:"riding_high_6000_at_meet_the_machines";s:6:"submit";s:6:"Submit";s:11:"field_id_26";s:43:"Riding High: 6,000 at \'Meet the Machines\'";s:11:"field_ft_26";s:4:"none";s:11:"field_id_31";s:0:"";s:11:"field_id_44";s:327:"With a massive climbing wall and aerial boom lift rides, there were plenty of opportunities for \"natural highs\" for the more than 6,000 people who attended the seventh annual \"Meet the Machines.\" The event, held Saturday, May 21 this year, is a free, family. Since its inception, the event has hosted over 36,000 attendees.";s:11:"field_ft_44";s:4:"none";s:11:"field_id_28";s:17:"Meet the machines";s:11:"field_ft_28";s:4:"none";s:11:"field_id_29";s:2134:"<p><img alt=\"Natural High\" class=\"image-right\" height=\"209\" src=\"/images/uploads/Natural High 2.JPG\" style=\"float: right;\" width=\"284\" />With a massive climbining wall and aerial boom lift rides, there were plenty of opportunities for \"natural highs\" for the more than 6,000 people who attended the  seventh annual \"Meet the Machines.\"  The event, held  Saturday, May 21 this year, is a free, family. Since its inception, the event has hosted over 36,000 attendees.</p>
<p>\"Our objective is to introduce kids and their parents to the construction industry and maybe get the kids to begin thinking of construction as a career,\" said A.J. Ford, vice president of marketing for Budrovich Contracting, which spearheads and hosts the event at its headquarters in an old South County quarry.</p>
<p>Other sponsors are <span class=\"text\"> In partnership with McCarthy Building Companies, MC 
Industrial, Midwest Aerials &amp; Equipment, Luby Equipment, Schnucks 
Markets, Guarantee Electric Company, and Helitech.</span></p>
<p>The first 2,000 kids received 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, had 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 were opportunities to 
operate some of the equipment, ride in aerial lifts, play games using industrial switches, and climb on police and fire rescue equipment.<span class=\"text\"></span></p>
<p><img alt=\"Meet Machines\" class=\"image-left\" height=\"299\" src=\"/images/uploads/Meet Machines.JPG\" style=\"float: left;\" width=\"448\" />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.</p>";s:10:"category_0";s:1:"4";}