Salem Public Works Day is a free event with multiple booths related to the department. (Salem Public Works Department)
Kids will have the opportunity to sit in dump trucks, climb through a 29-foot salmon sculpture and jump in a bouncy house Thursday during Salem Public Works Day.
The Salem Public Works Department is hosting the free, family-friendly event to give residents a behind-the-scenes look at what city employees in the department do.
The event is on Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Riverfront Park at 200 Water St N.E.
Suzanne Studer, Salem Public Works Department’s office assistant, said her favorite part of the event is seeing kids’ excitement when they arrive.
She said there are about 25 tables with different activities or information related to water or sewer systems. Free hot dogs and cookies will be available for the kids.
“It’s just a day for us to showcase what we do at public works and how it effects everyone in the Salem community,” Studer said.
Kids can climb on pubic works equipment — like backhoes, plows or dump trucks – while wearing child-sized hard hats supplied at the event.
The Salem Fire Department brings one of its fire engines as well.
During the event, the Salem Police Department will be looking for input on an art installation that’s going to go in front of the new police station.
People can write down words relating to honor, protection and service that will be used on the surface pattern of the sculpture.
Have a tip? Contact reporter Saphara Harrell at 503-549-6250, [email protected] or @daisysaphara.
LOCAL NEWS AND A LOCAL SUBSCRIPTION — For $10 a month, Salem Reporter provides breaking news alerts, emailed newsletters and around-the-clock access to our stories. We depend on subscribers to pay for in-depth, accurate news. Help us grow and get better by subscribing today. Sign up HERE.
