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Sound the alarm!

A 1940s-era American LaFrance fire truck, the first major featured exhibit piece of Discovery Place KIDS–Rockingham, will be delivered on Tuesday, between approximately noon and 1 p.m., passing through Harrington Square as it arrives.

The truck will enter the building through a large opening in the front of the museum, where a new glass facade will later be installed, and will remain in its new home as renovation and construction continue around it.

The full-size fire engine will be housed in the museum’s community-focused I CAN Be Anything theme area. Supported by Richmond County as part of the comprehensive campaign to build and sustain Discovery Place KIDS–Rockingham, I CAN Be Anything encourages children to ‘try on’ vocations and roles they observe adults in every day, and celebrates industries that built the Sandhills region. When completed, the fire truck will be equipped with a ceiling-mounted camera and in-dash monitor, the fire truck will allow little firefighters to observe their engine-driving and emergency management skills while playing the part of a community hero. The truck will be further modified on-site for safety prior to the museum’s public opening.

Currently under construction and expected to open in early 2013, Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham will be a child-focused learning-through-play experience that fosters imagination, creativity and skill development for children and their caregivers. American LaFrance, an American emergency and vocational vehicle manufacturer based in Summerville, S.C., is one of the oldest fire apparatus manufacturers in the United States.

Discovery Place KIDS is an innovative model in regional children’s museums developed by Discovery Place, Inc., the parent company of Discovery Place and Charlotte Nature Museum. Discovery Place KIDS is built on the theme of “I CAN” and offers children unique opportunities to explore their world; to develop cognitive, motor and social skills; and to stretch their imaginations in a child-centered environment dedicated to play.

For more information about Discovery Place KIDS, call 704-372-6261 or visit discoveryplaceKIDS.org.