Voting for this year’s Paint the Plow contest is taking place now through Sunday at www.penndot.pa.gov/PaintthePlow. The contest is sponsored each year by the state Department of Transportation. There are eight plows painted by students in Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties entered in the contest.

Earlier this year, teens from the northwest region designed and painted PennDOT plow blades based on the statewide theme “Use your reason when it’s freezing.” The theme was chosen to remind motorists to practice safe driving during the winter season.

Students from Rocky Grove High School, Oil City High School, Sheffield Area Middle/High School, Youngsville Middle/High School, Eisenhower Middle/High School, Mercer High School, West Middlesex High School and Tidioute Charter School participated.

The plow photo in each district that receives the most votes between December 9, and December 15, 2024, will be deemed the “Fan Favorite” for the area. The blades are also eligible for the “Judges’ Pick” honor that will be determined by PennDOT personnel, based on standard judging criteria. The winner in each category will be announced later in December.

Pictured is a plow decorated by Sheffield students for the annual Paint the Plow contest sponsored by PennDOT.

PennDOT has operated the program since 2015 with the exception of 2020, which was canceled due to the pandemic. In prior years, a vote was held on the various designs but PennDOT said that was not brought back in 2021 “to emphasize the fun side of the partnership” rather than a competitive element. PennDOT delivers the plows to schools at no cost, though the schools purchase any supplies and materials.

Pictured is a plow decorated by Youngsville students for the annual Paint the Plow contest sponsored by PennDOT.

Pictured is a plow decorated by Tidioute Community Charter School students for the annual Paint the Plow contest sponsored by PennDOT.