2025 North Carolina Public Works Week Celebrations

Join communities across North Carolina from May 18-24, 2025, as we celebrate the 65th annual National Public Works Week—a statewide tribute to the skilled professionals who maintain our roads, water systems, parks, and emergency infrastructure. From Wilmington’s riverfront to Hickory’s mountain vistas, municipal agencies will host open houses, equipment expos, family-friendly festivals, and behind-the-scenes tours that reveal how public works teams safeguard our daily lives. Meet the engineers who design resilient streets, the storm-water crews who prevent flooding, the sanitation experts who protect public health, and the arborists who keep our urban forests thriving. Interactive demonstrations include street-sweeper rodeos, water-main repair simulations, and electric-vehicle fleet showcases. Kids can climb aboard backhoes, race mini garbage trucks, and earn a Junior Public Works badge. Adults will discover career pathways, sustainability initiatives, and volunteer opportunities to adopt-a-road or storm-drain. Each participating city will unveil commemorative art murals, social-media photo contests, and appreciation breakfasts for workers and their families. The week culminates in a coordinated statewide “Sound the Horn” moment when every maintenance yard simultaneously honks in salute. Whether you’re a civic leader, student, homeowner, or simply curious about the invisible systems that power prosperity, these free events offer an eye-opening look at the science, pride, and community spirit behind North Carolina’s infrastructure. Come say thank you to the men and women who turn on your tap, plow your snow, and light your streets—because when public works works, North Carolina works.