The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) welcomes public middle schools across the County to participate in the fourth annual ‘Paint the Plow’ competition to name and decorate a snowplow for a chance to win cash prizes for their school. Middle schools have until 5 p.m. on Friday, April 11 to register online to participate in the Paint the Plow contest. 

Participation is free and paint supplies are provided by MCDOT. The plow design theme this year follows the National Public Works Week theme, “People, Purpose, & Presence.”  The theme highlights the three cornerstone ideals that motivate public works professionals to serve in their communities every day. Helping people is what gives public works employees their sense of purpose.  

Among other duties, MCDOT Highway Services professionals close roads during floods, remove fallen trees and make roads passable after winter snowstorms. Many times, these public works professionals will not meet those whose lives have been impacted. Still, they are working in the background to advance the quality of life for all Montgomery County residents. 

Winning middle schools will be eligible for a $500 first prize, a $300 second prize and a $200 third prize. The popular snowplows are deployed across the County during snowstorms in the winter months. 

MCDOT will deliver the snowplows to schools between 7-9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22 and pick them up between noon-3 p.m. on Thursday, May 15. 

The painted plows will be available for viewing and public vote at the Saturday, May 17 MCDOT Truck Day event running from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., at the MCDOT Truck Depot and Salt Barn, 17000 Crabbs Branch Way in Rockville. Truck Day is a free, family-friendly event that invites members of the community to touch, climb and explore the County’s many first-response, construction and transportation vehicles. The event kicks off National Public Works Week, celebrating the County’s essential employees. 

Visit the Paint the Plow website for more information and to view last year’s winning middle school plow designs. 

For information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on X, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.   

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