The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will kick off “National Public Works Week” with a free, family-friendly Truck Day event from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. on Saturday, May 16. The event will be held at the MCDOT Truck Depot and Salt Barn at 17000 Crabbs Branch Way in Rockville. Public Works Week is nationally recognized from May 17-23.
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.
“Most people don’t spend much time thinking about the crews that clear roads during a snowstorm, respond when trees block streets, repair potholes or keep traffic moving after severe weather,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “But those workers are essential to how this County functions every single day. Truck Day gives residents a chance to meet the people behind that work and see the equipment they rely on. Kids love climbing into the trucks, but it’s also an opportunity to better understand how much coordination and effort goes into maintaining a community this large and busy. I appreciate MCDOT’s efforts to engage both children and their families about the important work they do.”
Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of free activities:
- Climb inside and explore more than one dozen MCDOT and first responder vehicles including a bucket truck, semi-truck, tractor, fire engine, bus and more.
- Meet highway services crews and emergency personnel.
- Learn how equipment is used during snowstorms, flooding, and severe weather.
- Enjoy face painting, a sand box, and a remote-control vehicle derby.
- Vote in the annual “Paint the Plow” middle school snowplow contest.
- Learn more about careers in public service and transportation.
More than a dozen vehicles used by MCDOT Highway Services crews will be on display during the event.
As part of the event, MCDOT will showcase entries in the annual “Paint the Plow” middle school plow naming contest. A total of 14 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.
The American Public Works Association selected “Rooted in Service, Powered by Community” as the tagline for the 2026 National Public Works Week campaign. The tagline acknowledges that the roots of service run deep in public works. It’s what has propelled public works innovations that have helped our communities evolve into places where people can lead lives of purpose and possibility. Some work, like building roads and bridges, is highly visible, while other public works contributions, like maintaining water and drainage systems, are sometimes hidden from view. Together, these efforts form the foundation of thriving communities, reminding us that every project, seen or unseen, powers the connection between service and the people it supports.
“MCDOT highways crews work tirelessly year-round to maintain our infrastructure and keep our community moving,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “While they are out every day improving our roads, their role becomes even more critical during emergencies, where they often work around the clock to clear snow, manage flooding, and remove fallen trees. Though much of this essential work happens behind the scenes, it is vital for public safety. We hope this free event gives our residents a deeper appreciation for the work of our highway services crews and inspires more people to consider a meaningful career in public service.”
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In addition to the Truck Day event, MCDOT will launch a social media campaign on multiple platforms under the handle @MCDOTNow, showcasing MCDOT’s Division of Highway Services employees and the essential work they do. Through video content, the campaign will highlight their roles and contributions.
For information on MCDOT programs and services, follow @MCDOTNow on X, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook, and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.
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Read the original article at mcdot