Paint the Plow
The Paint the Plow Program is a way for PennDOT and local communities to cultivate public awareness and promote winter driving safety on state roadways.
This year, participating high school students will have a chance to demonstrate their creativity by designing and creating original artwork on a snowplow that showcases the 2024 theme:
Use Reason When It’s Freezin’
All schools are encouraged to participate in the Paint the Plow program. It is a way for schools and PennDOT to partner to let students' creativity bring awareness to the important work plows do during the winter months.
Here are some examples of plows painted through the 2023 program.
Judging and Voting
Plows are judged on creativity and ability to incorporate the designated safety message/theme.
Additionally, during a designated voting period, the public has the opportunity to select a "Fan Favorite" winner. This is done through an online voting system and is scheduled for December. Participating schools will be provided with the link and information will be posted on PennDOT's social media channels.
Winners will be announced locally, often through a press release and email to the schools, and may also be announced on social media.
Applications and Guidelines
Please reference the table below to find the appropriate contact for your region. While all PennDOT Districts follow the same guidelines, application deadlines vary based on the needs of the maintenance crews in that area. Please contact the Paint the Plow coordinator in your county about deadlines for applying, delivery, and completion/return.
District | Counties | Contact | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, Warren | Saxon Daugherty - sadaughert@pa.gov | 8-2-24 |
2 | Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Juniata, McKean, Mifflin, Potter | Steve Harmic - sharmic@pa.gov | 8-30-24 |
3 | Bradford, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, Union | This area offers a revised program. Please contact Kim Smith at kiasmit@pa.gov for more information.
| |
4 | Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming | Elizabeth Fabri - efabri@pa.gov | 6-30-24 |
5 | Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, Schuylkill | Sean Brown - sebrown@pa.gov | 8-30-24 |
6 | Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia | While this area does not offer Paint the Plow, you can contact Krys Johnson at krysjohnso@pa.gov for other collaboration opportunities. | |
8 | Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, York | While this area does not offer Paint the Plow, you can contact Fritzi Schreffler at fschreffle@pa.gov for other collaboration opportunities. | |
9 | Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon, Somerset | Monica Owens - moowens@pa.gov | |
10 | Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, Indiana, Jefferson | Tina Gibbs - chgibbs@pa.gov | 8-9-24 |
11 | Allegheny, Beaver, Lawrence | Yasmeen Manyisha - ymanyisha@pa.gov | 8-16-24 |
12 | Fayette, Greene, Washington, Westmoreland | Emily Swecker - eswecker@pa.gov | 8-16-24 |
FAQs
You can register your school for the Paint the Plow program by submitting an application to the coordinator in your region. The application must be submitted by an authorized contact at the school. See the table above for a list of contacts.
No. PennDOT will deliver the plow to your school at no cost. The school will have to purchase any needed painting supplies and materials.
Plows are usually delivered according to availability and school preference. The Paint the Plow coordinator in your region will make arrangements for a PennDOT operator to deliver the plow blade to your school based scheduling preferences for the school and PennDOT.
Completion dates are unique to each region and county. Check with the region coordinator and the application and guidelines they provide for specific dates.
There is no particular paint that is required for the plow, outdoor paint however will last the longest.
The goal of Paint the Plow is to raise awareness of safety and school art programs. The program also offers to awards - Judge's Pick and Fan Favorite.
The winner of the Judge's Pick is determined by members of PennDOT who are selected to determine which plow fulfilled the theme with the best original art.
For Fan Favorite, an online voting system is set up allowing community members to vote for their favorite plow.