News | August 30, 2000

Kansas City hosts 17th Annual International Lineman's Rodeo and Exposition

The three-day event — September 7-9, 2000 — showcases equipment and expertise of the people responsible for installing and maintaining the electric utility grid.

By Jerry R. Borland, P.E.
Managing Editor, EC Online

You might usually watch a college football game, go fishing, or catch-up on yardwork on any given Saturday. Why not take Saturday, September 9, 2000 to watch an unusual competition —The Lineman's Rodeo.

What is this competition? It is where crews and apprentices from five major categories — investor-owned utilties, contractors, senior, municipal utilities, and rural electric cooperatives — compete in certain events. Apprentices compete in the

  • Hurt man rescue
  • Pole climb
  • Written test
  • Stringing/Splicing
  • Mystery event

    The crews (lineman) compete in the

  • Hurt man rescue
  • Pole climb
  • Transformer change-out
  • Three mystery events

    All of this competition begins at roughly 6:30 a.m. at the National Agriculture Center and Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs, Kansas

    If the rodeo is on Saturday, what takes place the other two-days? The major suppliers of equipment to the lineman are displaying products in a two-day exposition at Bartle Hall in Kansas City, Missouri on September 7-8 from 12:00 noon –5:00 p.m.(Thursday) and 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Friday). This where you can view innovations in product development and/or just ask questions of your suppliers.

    This event is like no other. If given the chance, attend this event and see what it takes to be a lineman.

    Watch for EC Online to bring you coverage of this event.