VALDOSTA — Area children gathered at the Lowndes County Civic Center to admire monster tractors, dump trucks and cranes during Kids Dig it in South Georgia, hosted by the Lowndes County 4-H Club.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., kids could be seen staring at large vehicles and equipment in awe while others hopped into machines ready to ride. Fathers also showed their young boys what wheels and levers would make the machines operate how they wanted them to.

Among the children was three-year-old Landon Douglas, who got a feel of a Caterpillar D4 GXL bulldozer on display. Landon smiled in amazement as his father, Cody, allowed him to explore controls and impersonate a construction worker.

The bulldozer was provided by Yancy Brothers.

Other equipment included an Economy Wrecker, equipment from Scruggs, Georgia Forestry equipment, a Lowndes County school bus, the Valdosta Police Department mobile command center, Reames & Son equipment, Howard Electric equipment, DARE cars, the Air Force Suburban Raptor, a Voigt crane, an ADM semi-trailer, a Yancey backhoe, a Dasher concrete mixer, Southern Outlaw racing lawnmowers, a Rountree dump truck, a Farmers tractor and Thomas Collision and Dr. Wayne Hester’s Ortho Taxi. Wallace Truck and Equipment also offered $1 rides on some of its equipment.

Among sponsors for the event were the Lowndes County Commission, Commercial Banking Company, Nero Tire and Brake, Woodmen of the World, First State Bank, Farmers and Merchants Bank and Joe Hall Used Cars.

The proceeds from admissions and rides will help the Lowndes County 4-H Club purchase a new vehicle. The club hopes to replace its van with a small, newer bus that is more reliable and capable of transporting more members.