Reece Hallock, 6, of Vancouver runs to her parents after learning to drive an excavator during Dozer Days. (Photo courtesy of Tyler Tjomsland / The Oregonian.)

The recent Dozer Days fundraising event at Fisher Quarry near Vancouver, Ore., drew nearly 20,000 adults and children for a hands-on experience with heavy construction equipment, according to a report by The Oregonian.

The quarry is owned by building materials company Cemex, and the seventh annual Dozer Days was a benefit for a Vancouver nonprofit organization, the Nutter Foundation, which raises money for Portland- and Vancouver-area children’s groups, including the Portland Children’s Museum, little leagues, soccer clubs, school districts and parent-teacher organizations.

For attendees aided by approximately 900 volunteers, there were machines to climb, dirt to dig, ropes to pull and trucks to drive in what The Oregonian described as a “Disneyland of gravel, dirt and loud vehicles.”

Jerry and Renee Nutter, the founders of the Nutter Foundation and owners of an excavation company, chose Dozer Day for an annual fundraiser because the event appeals to many kids and adults and it helps educate people about construction work, spreading a positive message about the industry.

Slavik Lokes, 5, learns the finer points of driving an excavator with the help of an operator during Dozer Days. (Photo by Tyler Tjomsland / The Oregonian.)