Maine Chapter of the American Public Works

Highway Congress

What is it ___________________

The "Highway Congress" is an annual trade show event sponsored by the Maine Chapter APWA. It is typically a gathering of 110+ exhibitors who trade with municipalities and public agencies. The Congress is held on the first Thursday in June at the Skowhegan Fairgrounds. The Highway Congress began in 1991 thanks to the efforts of Bill Shane, Town of Yarmouth, Bob Malley, Town of Cape Elizabeth and Alan Gove, HP Fairfield Co. Since then it has continued to thrive and expand and is now known as the premiere opportunity for public officials in Maine to gather and see the latest in equipment, supplies and services for the municipal sector. The show is known for the following unique features:

  • Actual construction demos take place during the day (past demos include paving, StreetPrint, tree-felling, reclamation, road geotextile installation, tub-grinding, catch basin cleaning)
  • Equipment from various vendors is available for "try-out" giving folks a hands-on chance to operate the latest model loader, backhoe, grader, etc.
  • Equipment skill contests are held to let anyone get a chance to compete for prizes. Several backhoe contests are held by exhibitors as well as a skid steer contest
  • The State Snow Plow Roadeo Championships are concurrently held during the morning on the racetrack next to the midway exhibits. The winners are announced at the closing ceremonies and the Chapter awards the winners round trip tickets to the national Snow Plow Roadeo held in the Fall in Colorado.
  • MDOT Local Roads Center hosts "Time-Out for Training." Six training stations are set-up for visitors to go through covering topics like proper setup of work & traffic signs, how to compute pipe slopes/grades, proper erosion control practices and so on. Visitors who complete the 6 stations are then eligible for the prize drawing at the closing cermonies and multiple chances to win many exceptional prizes donated by the exhibitors
Where is it ___________________

The Highway Congress is held annually at the Skowhegan Fairgrounds which located on Madison Avenue (Route 201) in Skowhegan, Maine. Travel directions are:

When traveling from the South:
On Interstate 95, take Exit 133 (formerly 36) and follow Rt. 201 north to Skowhegan - approximately 15 miles. The Fairgrounds are located on the left side of Route 201, next to Wal-Mart, one mile north of the center of town.

When traveling from the North:
On Interstate 95, take Exit 157 (formerly 39) and go west on Rt. 2 to Skowhegan - approximately 20 miles. In Skowhegan turn right on Rt. 201. The Fairgrounds are located on the left side of Route 201, next to Wal-Mart, one mile north of the center of town.


Several motels are located near the Fairgrounds. FMI call or check out:
  1. Belmont Motel, 273 Madison Ave.
    1-800-235-6669
  2. Towne Motel, 248 Madison Ave.
    1-800-843-4405


2009 Highway Congress

The 19th Annual Highway Congress will be held on June 4, 2009.

2009 Exhibitor Registration Info:
Exhibitor registration packets will be mailed out in early 2009. If you have any questions or need additional information please call the Event Chair for 2009, Mike Claus, Town of Kennebunk, 468-3020.

2009 Exhibitor Info Online:  

  1. Exhibit Rules and Regulations
  2. Exhibitor Registration Packet    Available January 2009

2009 Visitor Registration Info:
All municipal and public agency officials are welcome and urged to attend. Their is no admission fee for those who pre-register. Late registrations are $7 to cover lunch costs. Registration applications will be sent to all municpalities as well as members of MCAPWA in early May 2009 by the Maine Municipal Association. If you need to get visitor registration information call Joan Kiszely at the Affiliates Offices at MMA at 1-800-452-8786.

Photos & Map Link________________

2001 Highway Congress Photos
Click on any above image for larger view.


Click here to download a map of the 16th Annual Highway Congress Layout at the Skowhegan Fairgrounds (Map downloads in new window)

2008 Highway Congress

Photos from the 2008 Highway Congress

2004 Highway Congress

Photos from the 2004 Highway Congress (opens new window)


2003 Highway Congress

The 12th Annual Highway Congress was held on Thursday, June 5, 2003 at the Skowhegan Fairgrounds.

2002 Highway Congress

The 11th Annual Highway Congress was held on Thursday, June 6, 2002 at the Skowhegan Fairgrounds.

Click here for Pictures of the 2002 show (opens in new window) .

Also held on June 6th at the Fairgrounds was the 10th Annual Snowplow Roadeo. The winning team was from the Maine Department of Transporation, Division 1 (Aroostook County). Full results are available for the Team Competition and the Individual Results are also available here online.

2001 Highway Congress

For 2001, the 10th Anniversary of the Highway Congress record crowds enjoyed an exceptional day as follows:


2000 Highway Congress

The 9th Highway Congress attracted 1,100 visitors with a record 117 Exhibitors in attendance.

1999 Highway Congress
1998 Highway Congress


Maine Chapter American Public Works Association
c/o John Foster
Brunswick Public Works Department
9 Industry Road
Brunswick, Maine 04011
207-725-6654

For comments or further information please e-mail us at: apwa@mcapwa.org