Electric lineworker ‘rodeo’ grounds construction set

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Electric lineworker ‘rodeo’ grounds construction set

October 5, 2015

Minnesota municipal electric utilities will be gathering the week of Oct. 12 at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, to build the rodeo grounds for the 2016 American Public Power Association (APPA) National Lineworkers Rodeo.

The 2016 event will be the first national lineworkers’ rodeo held in Minnesota. This “once in a lifetime” event is a big deal: the area of the rodeo grounds will be approximately nine acres (roughly the size of eight football fields), set with 150 pole structures.

Each year the Rodeo attracts thousands of attendees from all across the U.S. and abroad. At the Rodeo, journeyman and apprentice lineworkers practice essential skills in a safe environment while competing for professional recognition, attend training courses and network with other attendees.

The rodeo grounds construction is being coordinated by Shakopee Public Utilities and the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association (MMUA). It is expected that approximately 100 linemen from 25 municipal electric utilities will be on-hand during the week of Oct. 12 to build the rodeo grounds. The bulk of the activity is expected to occur mid-week.

Shakopee Public Utilities provides electric and water service. MMUA represents the interests of Minnesota’s 125 ‘public power’ utilities. 

Both the construction event and the April 2, 2016 Rodeo itself will be tremendous photo opportunities. The gatherings also present numerous story ideas.

Here is a link to the APPA Rodeo homepage.  

Here is another video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDWi9hN4AC0