2026 Theme:
This year, participating high school students have a chance to demonstrate their creativity by designing and creating original artwork on a snowplow that showcases the 2026 theme:
Snow Means Slow.
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.
Check out the 2025 Paint the Plow participants on our Facebook album, or click the counties within the chart below to view the 2025 participants for each PennDOT district.
Applications and Guidelines
Application (PDF)
Guidelines (PDF)
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.
** The use of trademarked or copyrighted materials, such as characters from popular films or video games, as well as cooperate logos of independent companies, are prohibited due to copyright laws. All submissions must be the original work of the submitter and must not infringe on the rights of third parties, including but not limited to, intellectual property rights. By participating in the program, the school accepts responsibility for any third-party intellectual property claims which may arise from the school’s submission and agrees to hold PennDOT harmless from such claims. **
District | Counties | Contact | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Saxon Daugherty - sadaughert@pa.gov | 08/28/2026 | |
2 | Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Juniata, McKean, Mifflin, Potter | Steve Harmic - sharmic@pa.gov | N/A |
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. | N/A |
4 | Elizabeth Fabri - efabri@pa.gov | N/A | |
5 | Sean Brown - sebrown@pa.gov | N/A | |
6 | Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia | Helen Reinbrecht - hreinbrech@pa.gov | 08/14/2026 |
8 | Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, York | Fritzi Schreffler - fschreffle@pa.gov | N/A |
9 | Monica Owens - moowens@pa.gov | N/A | |
10 | Tina Gibbs - chgibbs@pa.gov | 09/07/2026 | |
11 | Yasmeen Manyisha - ymanyisha@pa.gov | 08/14/2026 | |
12 | Emily Stambaugh - emstambaug@pa.gov | 09/04/2026 |
Judging and Voting
Plows are judged on creativity and ability to incorporate the designated safety message/theme.
The “Judges’ Pick” honor will be determined by PennDOT personnel and based 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.
- Plows are grouped together by the PennDOT region for voting purposes (so multiple counties will have the same voting form).
- Participation is limited to one vote per person per district.
Winners will be announced locally, often through a press release and email to the schools, and may also be announced on social media.
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.