The city of Wyoming has started preparing for winter with a snowplow “roadeo” intended for public agency personnel.
On Wednesday, Oct. 6, The city will host its annual American Public Works Association (APWA) Midwest Michigan Snowplow Roadeo and Equipment Show from 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at the city of Wyoming Public Works Department at 2660 Burlingame Ave. SW.
The event, hosted for municipal workers and municipal construction industry personnel, will feature a timed obstacle course for snowplow drivers across the state, giving them an opportunity to put their abilities to the test. The city is currently discouraging public attendance due to both COVID precautions and that the event is intended for those working in municipal and public agency roles.
The obstacle course will take place 9 a.m.-noon in the parking lot, and other event activities will be held in the Wyoming DPW garage.
The first APWA “Roadeo” began in the mid-1980’s and is hosted in a variety of forms throughout multiple regional municipalities. The team with the best obstacle course record at each event will later advance to the national competition in Loveland, Colorado, hosted annually in October.
The obstacle course will contain a variety of 11 obstacles intended to simulate real, on-the-job experiences, such as driving around parked cars and curves, backing up and narrowing clearance. Safety and operational training components also will be present, as well as a truck diagnostic test to prepare for the winter ahead.
Equipment vendors and public agencies throughout the Midwest will share best practices for winter snow removal operations and also will display their products and services for attendees. Vendor registration is still taking place, and a current list of vendors was not disclosed.
Lunch will be served, and attendees must register in order to receive a lunch ticket for the event.
Public administrators, members of the media and elected officials also are invited to give their best shot at operating snow removal equipment through the obstacle course.
Opportunities to give the course a try are typically through invitation from local road agencies, but others interested in registering or seeking other event info should contact Maura Lamoreaux, communications manager for the Kent County Road Commission at mlamoreaux@kentcountyroads.net
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