The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will kick off “Public Works Week” from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, with a free, family-friendly “Truck Day” event. The event will be held at the MCDOT Truck Depot and Salt Barn at 17000 Crabbs Branch Way in Rockville. Truck Day invites members of the community to touch, climb and explore the many first-response, construction and transportation vehicles used by public works employees who keep the County running.
Truck Day will offer the opportunity for a hands-on experience with about a dozen 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 employees will be available to answer questions and share how their vehicles work and the role their vehicles serve.
“Truck Day offers a fun and engaging opportunity for residents—especially children—to meet our local public works professionals and learn about the vital work they do to keep Montgomery County safe and enhance the quality of life for everyone who lives, works and visits here,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “This free outdoor event is always a hit. MCDOT does an outstanding job involving the community with hands-on activities, and kids especially enjoy getting to climb into the trucks.”
As part of the event, MCDOT will showcase entries in the annual “ Paint the Plow ” middle school plow naming contest. A total of 11 Montgomery County public middle schools are participating in a competition to name and decorate a snowplow. 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.
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“Public Works Week,” nationally recognized from May 18-24, honors essential workers. The American Public Works Association selected “People, Purpose, Presence” as the tagline for the 2025 National Public Works Week. The tagline highlights three cornerstone ideals that motivate public works professionals to serve their communities every day. Meeting the needs of people is what gives public works its sense of purpose. Public works professionals often go unseen, as their impact is most felt when everything runs smoothly. Yet, with or without fanfare, public works is always present, quietly enhancing the quality of life for all.
“MCDOT employees work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the public safe,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “While their presence often goes unnoticed, they play a vital role during emergencies—whether it’s snowstorms, flooding or clearing downed trees. Their actions are vital to ensure emergency access for our residents and so that they can travel safely.”
For updates and link to press release, see here: http://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=47034