The 2018 Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo is a fun, free event for the whole family. It’s the nation’s foremost showcase of public power lineworker skill and knowledge.
It’ll take place on Saturday, April 28th, 2018, from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Holding Village in Wake Forest, located off South Franklin Street via Rogers Road.
- 7:30 a.m.: Opening Ceremony
- 8 a.m.: Competition Begins
- 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Fun Zone for Kids
2018 Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo from Town of Wake Forest, NC on Vimeo.
At the rodeo, apprentice and journeyman lineworkers from across the United States will compete for professional recognition and display essential job skills, 30 feet above ground.
Free and open to the public, the event will also feature the PowerSecure Fun Zone for kids and a variety of food trucks on site throughout the day.
Lineworkers Rodeo 101
At the lineworkers rodeo, apprentices (lineworkers have have less than four years of experience) and teams of journeymen (lineworkers with more than four years of experience) compete in events that mimic tasks they perform on the job. There’s no live electricity involved in these events, but the competitors must use procedures as if there is.
There are 10 events in all. Apprentices compete in four rodeo events and take a written test the day before the rodeo. Teams of three or four journeymen compete in five rodeo events.
Competitors are judged on safety, work practices, neatness, ability and equipment handling. The goal of each competitor, whether solo or team, is completing each event perfectly, with no deductions for mistakes, also called infractions or gigs. Competitors who score the highest – which usually means no infractions – in the fastest time win! Winners are declared for each event and for overall apprentice and overall journeyman team.
Each event has a Chief Judge who is in charge of that event. There are usually 10 stations per event, so multiple linemen can compete at once. An event judge mans each event station. Overseeing all the events are a Master Apprentice Judge and a Master Journeyman Judge.
Apprentice Events
- Double Dead-End Bell Change Out
- Hurtman Rescue
- Rope Toss
- Sidewalk Guy
- Written Test
Journeyman Events
- 4kV 600 Amp Switch Replacement
- 4kV Four Bell Change Out
- 4kV Crossarm Change Out
- 4kV Jumper Replacement
- Hurtman Rescue
PowerSecure Fun Zone
- Kids Hard Hat Giveaway
- Inflatable Slide
- Face Painting
- Corn Pit
- Photo Booth
- Pole Climbing
- Rope Toss
- Coloring Station
- NC Public Power Touch-A-Truck
- Energy Booth – Fun Energy activities
- Touch-A-Truck – 90′ & 125′ utility trucks, digger derrick, fire engine & ladder, school bus, dump truck, water tv truck, plow, excavator, and more
Food Trucks
The 2018 Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo will feature a variety of food trucks on site, including the following:
- Baguettaboutit
- Baton Rouge Cuisine
- Cousins Maine Lobster
- Daddy Bob’s Barbeque
- JAM Soft Serve Ice Cream & Shaved Ice
- Jay’s Italian Ice
- Kono Pizza
- Mama Voula’s
- Mr. Mongolian
- Spanglish
- Will and Pop’s
