Missoula, MT– The city of Missoula is inviting residents to get creative and leave their mark on the community through its inaugural “Name Our Snowplows” contest. The contest, which began on December 17, 2024, runs through January 12, 2024, and allows locals to submit their best snowplow name suggestions online. With over 100 entries already received, Missoulians are clearly eager to be part of this unique initiative.
The idea for the contest was sparked by a suggestion from Missoula Mayor Jordan Hess, who asked if the city could launch a snowplow naming competition. “We thought, why not? It sounded like a fun way to engage the community,” said Lori Hart, a specialist with the Missoula Department of Public Works and Mobility. “We wanted to do something creative but with minimal impact on city resources.”
This year, three winning names will be chosen from the submissions, and the lucky winners will have their chosen names displayed on snowplows used to clear the city’s streets. The city currently operates 17 full-size snowplows, and Hart shared that while only three plows will be named this year, the contest will continue annually until all of them are named. “Next year, we’ll do this again and name a few more,” Hart said, hinting at the potential for a growing tradition.
As Missoula residents continue to submit their snowplow names, the contest has captured the attention of many, offering a fun way for the community to engage with local government and take pride in a vital public service.