Middlesex Township police officer Mark Heider and his K9 partner, Mibo, were a hit with the crowd at Saturday's First Responders Touch-A-Truck event at the Middlesex Township Volunteer Fire Company.

MIDDLESEX TWP - From firetrucks to backhoes to a bomb squad truck, a host of first responder vehicles and heavy equipment machinery made hundreds happy in Middlesex Township on Saturday afternoon.

Now in it's third year, the First Responders Touch-A-Truck event hosted by Middlesex Township's volunteer fire company and police department featured something for everyone.

“It's always a good event, and it seems to get bigger every year,” said Steve Pedicone, of Middlesex Township.

Community members who came out to the Middlesex Township Volunteer Fire Company for the event continued to be impressed by the number and diversity of vehicles open to them. In addition to the wide range of first responder vehicles - including a LifeFlight helicopter - the family event featured food vendors, frozen custard, a kids fireman obstacle course and face painting.

The police K9, Mibo, was a special hit with the crowd and even showed off his abilities with his handler Mark Heider.

This is an excerpt of the story that will run in Tuesday's Butler Eagle.