The American Public Power Association (APPA) has chosen Wake Forest as the site of the 2018 Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo. The event will take place on Saturday, April 28, 2018, at 8 a.m. on property just north of Wake Forest’s Holding Village at the end of South Franklin Street.
On that day, hundreds of electric lineworkers from public power utilities across the United States will descend on Holding Village to compete in timed contests to showcase their skills and knowledge in the craft of line work. Teams of lineworkers will climb poles, build overhead construction, pull up wire and hang transformers, all within a set time limit. Events will be judged on safety, work practices, neatness, ability, equipment handling and speed.
The event will be free and open to the public.
The American Public Power Association will hold its annual convention in Raleigh during the week just before the rodeo. Mayor Vivian Jones said the town applied to hold the rodeo – usually held in large cities – and were chosen. Linemen from the town have participated in local and statewide rodeos in recent years.
Area residents who live in the vicinity of Holding Village will likely notice increased activity in the area in the coming weeks as crews begin preparing the grounds to serve as the rodeo site. Initial efforts will include clearing brush and constructing temporary roads, followed in early 2018 by the installation of over 100 temporary utility poles, none of which will be connected to live power.
The work will be performed during normal work hours and is not expected to cause any serious disruptions.
All heavy equipment and deliveries will enter the site via Friendship Chapel Road.
