After a long, cold winter with more school snow days than anyone cares to count, Montgomery County’s Department of Transportation invites local middle school students to paint the county’s plows for a day of creativity, collaboration and perhaps a bit of payback for the pileups of “snowcrete” on public sidewalks, roadways and playgrounds earlier this year.
This spring activity follows a frigid February preceded by a Jack (frosted) up January, which included a 20-day cold snap that put the Washington Metro Region in the weather history books for out freezing 2016’s “Snowzilla” and 2010’s “Smowmaggeddon” blizzards.
Now, with sun shining this April, MCDOT invites all Montgomery County public middle schools to participate in the 5th annual “Paint the Plow” competition to name and decorate an actual piece of equipment they will use for future snow removal.
This year’s design theme is “Rooted in Service, Powered by Community” — a nod to National Public Works Week, which shares the same theme.
Registration happens online and is open now through 5 p.m. this Friday, April 10.
Participation is free and paint supplies are provided by MCDOT.
There’s also a $500 first-place prize, a $300 second-place prize, and a $200 third-place prize that typically goes toward the school’s art program or a club. Minions, Ninja Turtles and I-270 themes have drawn attention in previous years, with MCDOT pledging to drive all of the participating schools painted snowplows right through the next snowfall this area receives.
For more information on about the contest and how to register a school, visit: montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot.
BONUS!
For the serious plow painters, here’s a quick rundown of contest details from MCDOT:
- Registration Period: open now thru Friday, April 10
- Supplies: MCDOT will provide the needed art supplies for painting snowplows.
- Participant Details: all submissions must be created by the individual or group submitting the entry, will become the property of the Montgomery County Department of Transportation, and may be used for publicity.
- Snow Plow Drop-off: Thursday, April 16, 7 a.m. -9 a.m.
- Snow Plow Pickup: Thursday, May 14, 12 p.m. -2 p.m.
- Paint the Plow Judging: Saturday, May 16, 11 a.m. -1 p.m at a public event where attendees will cast votes for the decorated snowplow design they like best.
- Paint the Plow Voting: Saturday, May 16, 11 a.m. -1 p.m.
Prizes (with check made out to winners)
- 1st Place: $500
- 2nd Place: $300
- 3rd Place: $200
