Kingsport Invites Families to Celebrate Public Works Day Downtown
Residents of Kingsport will be treated to an annual tradition on Public Works Day. City administrators have announced plans to host a grand event featuring a wide variety of public works machines and vehicles. The event will be held at the Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 24.
Honoring National Public Works Week
This event falls within the National Public Works Week, which runs from May 19 to May 25. The American Public Works Association started the week-long celebration in 1960 as a way to educate the public on the essential role of public works in their daily lives. This year’s theme is “Advancing Quality of Life for All,” spotlighting the contributions of public works professionals in improving both physical infrastructure and community living.
A Showcase of Public Works Services
“Public Works is the thread that connects us all, no matter where we live in the world,” said Deputy City Manager Ryan McReynolds. Kingsport’s Public Works Day aims to highlight the diverse range of services provided by the department, extending from snow removal to street sweeping, machinery operations to asphalt laying.
About 50 pieces of equipment will be showcased during the event. The exhibition includes automated garbage collection trucks, a trash grabber truck, mini street sweeper, leaf collection equipment, sewer camera vans, a directional drill machine, mowers, a backhoe, and a mini paver.
An Exciting Day for Kids
Kids and parents will have the chance to get up-close and personal with these machines. Some of the planned activities include a short ride up in a bucket truck, trying to pick up a tire with a grabber truck, and even a chance to hook a metal pin with a backhoe or drop a tennis ball into a bucket with a Gradall machine.
Interactive Learning for Visitors
Beyond the heavy machinery, the event will feature interactive stations designed to educate and entertain attendees of all ages. Children can paint sign replicas of manhole covers, peek through microscopes to examine bacteria, and learn how cameras navigate through sewer pipes. Other fun activities include playing in a large sandbox, running through a water sprinkler, and visiting the “Then & Now” display showcasing the evolution of public works equipment.
About Kingsport’s Public Works Department
Kingsport’s Public Works Department is the largest non-school related department in the city, employing approximately 362 people. The department includes several sectors such as water and sewer, streets and sanitation, building maintenance, traffic, fleet maintenance, GIS, engineering, stormwater, IT, Transit, and the Metropolitan Transportation and Planning Organization.
Join the Celebration
All members of the community are invited to join the event and connect with public works professionals who will be present to answer any queries. Attendees can also enjoy several presentations detailing the essential daily operations of the department. Come join us downtown to celebrate Public Works Day and gain fresh appreciation for the professionals who work tirelessly to improve our city’s quality of life every day!
