Richland County is bringing out the heavy equipment next week to celebrate National Public Works Week.

The County’s Public Works Division is holding a parade featuring a variety of vehicles and equipment used in road building and maintenance. Following the parade of backhoes, excavators and more, residents can visit different booths to learn more about the contribution of Public Works to their daily lives.

Public Works, among other things, provides engineering services, maintains County roads and drainage and oversees the County’s stormwater infrastructure.

In 1960, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed the first National Public Works Week. This year, National Public Works Week is May 18-24. The 2014 National Public Works Week theme, "Building for Today, Planning for Tomorrow," recognizes that public works plays a key role in the planning, building and maintenance of infrastructure projects in communities that will benefit future generations.

Richland County’s Public Works parade begins 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Public Works Compound, 400 Powell Road. For more information, call (803) 576-2400.