Hundreds of lineworkers from across the country will gather in Wake Forest, NC on Saturday, April 28 to demonstrate how quickly and safely they can climb power poles, hang transformers, rescue injured workers, and perform rope tosses and other feats commonly required of lineworkers.
“Being a lineworker requires tremendous skill and knowledge. This is a great opportunity for customers to get an up-close look at workers as they showcase their talents,” said ElectriCities CEO Roy Jones. “We are honored to host this event in North Carolina for the first time.”
The Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo is the nation’s premier competition of public power utility workers, featuring individual and team events with journeymen and apprentice lineworkers competing for professional recognition. The competition will take place on a course custom built by crews from the North Carolina Association of Municipal Electric Systems (NCAMES). The event is hosted by the American Public Power Association, ElectriCities, NCAMES and the Town of Wake Forest.
Wake Forest is one of more than 70 public power communities in North Carolina that service 1.2 million customers across the state, more than the populations of Raleigh and Charlotte combined. Lineworkers from a dozen North Carolina communities are participating, including Apex, Benson, Fayetteville, Gastonia, Greenville, High Point, Kinston, Rocky Mount, Shelby, Statesville, Tarboro, Washington, and Wake Forest.
“This is going to be a great community event,” said Wake Forest Mayor Vivian Jones. “We’re excited to welcome utility workers from across the United States to Wake Forest and we encourage families to come out and watch the lineworkers compete.”
A Family Fun Event: Food Truck Rodeo and PowerSecure Fun Zone
The event is free and open to the public. There will be about a dozen food trucks on site and the PowerSecure Fun Zone will provide a variety of interactive games and activities for children, including an inflatable slide, face painting, corn pit and photo booth. In addition, aspiring young lineworkers can try their hand at pole climbing and rope toss activities.
About the American Public Power Association
We are the voice of not-for-profit, community-owned utilities that power 2,000 towns and cities nationwide. We represent public power before the federal government to protect the interests of the more than 49 million customers that public power utilities serve, and the 93,000 people they employ. Our association advocates and advises on electricity policy, technology, trends, training, and operations. Our members strengthen their communities by providing superior service, engaging citizens, and instilling pride in community-owned power.
About ElectriCities of North Carolina
ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc., is the membership organization that provides power supply and related critical services to over 90 community-owned electric systems in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia—collectively known as public power. ElectriCities manages the power supply for two power agencies in North Carolina and provides technical services to assist members in operating their electric distribution systems. ElectriCities also helps these locally owned and operated public power providers thrive today and in the future by delivering innovative services, including legislative, technical, communications, and economic development expertise.
Visit www.electricities.com to learn more about the benefits of public power and how ElectriCities helps communities keep the lights on through access to safe, reliable, and affordable energy.
Media contact
Elizabeth Kadick
Vice President, Communications, ElectriCities
919-760-6285
ekadick@electricities.org