The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will kick off “Public Works Week” on Saturday, May 20, with Truck Day at the MCDOT Depot and Salt Barn in Gaithersburg. Truck Day is a free, family-friendly event that invites members of the community to touch, climb and explore the many first-response, construction and transportation vehicles that make the county run.
Truck Day will take place from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on May 20 at the MCDOT Truck Depot and Salt Barn, which is located at 17000 Crabbs Branch Way in Gaithersburg.
Truck Day will offer the opportunity for a hands-on experience with MCDOT vehicles including a bucket truck, tractor, semi-truck and bus. The event also will feature first responder vehicles and a fire engine, with the chance to meet the essential workers who operate them. MCDOT Highway Services will be available to answer questions and share how their vehicles work and the role their vehicles serve.
As part of the event, MCDOT will showcase entries in the annual “Paint the Plow” contest. Middle schools from across the County participate in the competition to name and decorate a snowplow to recognize the roles of essential workers.
Attendees at Truck Day will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite snowplow name and design. First-, second- and third-place winners will receive cash prizes for their schools.
The popular snowplows are deployed across the region during snowstorms in the winter months.
“This event is a great opportunity for children and their families to meet first responders and essential workers while learning more about the important work they do in our community,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “These outreach events from MCDOT are important to our mission of educating and engaging our communities, while providing our residents with the opportunity to meet and interact with our employees and the equipment they use. Our first responders and essential workers are critical to the health and safety of our residents and also improve the quality of life for all who live, work and visit Montgomery County.”
“Public Works Week” is a nationally recognized week in May to honor essential workers. The American Public Works Association selected "Connecting the World" as the theme for the 2023 National Public Works Week. The theme emphasizes that public works employees are always ready to serve their communities and are resilient despite encountering challenges. “Public Works Week” runs May 21-27.
In addition to the Truck Day event, MCDOT will run a social media campaign to highlight MCDOT Division of Highway Services employees and the essential work they do. The campaign will spotlight employees through video content to highlight their contributions.
“Highway Services staff provide essential services residents rely on to travel safely,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “When an emergency situation arises, they are on the front line, at all hours, and often in extreme weather conditions, working to keep the County running and to keep our residents safe. They do an incredible job.
To learn more about the “Paint the Plow” contest or other MCDOT-sponsored activities during “Public Works Week,” visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/PaintThePlow.
