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Public Power Lineworker's Rodeo—The event of the year 1111 NI1711111, !!Ii1II dl"` _,` --- .` w.. , The Rodeo brought people from all over the country to Canterbury Park in Shakopee for the annual competition. The biggest event for MMUA in 2016? Serving as Among those competing were teams or individuals co-host, along with Shakopee Public Utilities, of the from MMUA members Austin, Blooming Prairie, 16th annual Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo. The Brainerd, Chaska, Detroit Lakes, Elk River, Mar- American Public Power Association (APPA) event shall, Rochester, Shakopee and Willmar. was held April 2 at Canterbury Park in Shakopee. Lineworkers at the event competed for professional A Marshall Municipal Utilities (MMU) team of recognition, attended training courses, and prac- Tony Mead, Nate Janssen, Cody Raveling and ticed essential skills in a safe environment. Derek Varpness finished second in a journeyman event and MMU's Trevor Morin placed third in two There were approximately apprentice categories. It was the best combined 650 people involved— placement ever by a Minnesota municipal utility. competitors, volunteers -� and judges. It was the ° Rodeo day concluded with a gigantic banquet at the largest Rodeo ever held, w , Minneapolis Convention Center. Public power re- in terms of competitors. t tained a presence in Minneapolis over the next four There was also a large III 1 days, with the APPA Engineering and Operations crowd of spectators and aTechnical Conference. MMUA staff and members variety of media present. 1 helped plan for the event and served as speakers. Approximately 230 volun teers, mostly from Minne- g ' The APPA rodeo grounds were constructed in the sota's municipal utilities, fall of 2015, but teardown occurred April 26, 2016, kept the event moving as approximately 50 lineworkers, along with 30 smoothly. Volunteers did - bucket trucks and digger derricks from 21 munici- everything from greet- One of four pole lines on pal electric utilities, converged at the rodeo field. ing, to auditing results, to the Apprentice side of Crews speedily dismantled and removed the 14 pole hanging dummies for the the rodeo field. lines (including 129 poles) built to exacting specifi- `hurtman' rescue,judg- cations. In a testament to the organizational abili- ing, helping in different areas and generally doing ties and work ethic of Minnesota municipal electric whatever needed to be done to make the event func- crews, the work was completed in less than one tion smoothly. complete work day. The day dawned sunny but cold and windy. A MMUA thanks everybody, including individuals, 26,000 square-foot heated tent served as shelter Regular, Affiliate and Associate Members, who and housed events and displays, including a yen- helped make the rodeo a success. We couldn't have dor's show, dining area and children's area. done it without your help. 2016 Year in Review-5 144