Page 6 - MayJune2026 Vol 44 No 1

KNOXVILLE By Klair Kimmey
Inaugural Region III Backhoe Roadeo

After months of planning, the Inaugural grounds of the World’s Fair Park. Biscuits tasks were time limited and safety was a
Region III Backhoe Roadeo was held and beverages were provided on site. priority.
under very blue skies on Friday, March Thanks to the generous sponsors, with the After competition, while the results
20 in Knoxville. Nineteen operators from exception of hotel rooms, all expenses for were being tallied (thanks to Bimel Shah
five chapters competed on two pieces the event were covered. with NuOrigin), box lunches were served.
of equipment: a backhoe and a mini The tasks were (from my viewpoint) Following lunch, winners were announced
excavator. Both machines were provided crazy difficult. Both pieces of equipment and awards presented. Jeffery Brown,
by sponsor Stowers Caterpillar. had two separate obstacles to complete. Region III Director was on hand to
The Chapters in Region III are The backhoe tasks involved putting three congratulate the winners. South Carolina
Kentucky, North Carolina, South balls attached by ropes into color-coded made a great showing with one of their
Carolina, Tennessee, and the Mid-Atlantic tubes, then dragging a ball on a chain operators taking first in both events
Chapter (representing Virginia, Maryland, through a piece of PVC pipe then lifting and then, predictably, taking the overall
West Virginia and Washington D.C.) the pipe onto a frame (which didn’t trophy. It was a terrific morning.
Coordinators and competitors were always stay put). The mini excavator Region III has the honor of being the
treated to a reception and dinner on the tasks involved feeding a metal ring first APWA Region to hold an event like
19th at Chesapeake’s. This was a great around a PVC pipe configured with this. The Committee plans for this to be
opportunity for networking and learning bends and turns and bolts sticking out, an annual occurrence but will decide
about the other Chapters in Region III. and then placing three connected metal later where it will be hosted – maybe in
Competition began at 8 a.m. on the tubes over color-coded rebar poles. All Tennessee again.

6 TPW May/June 2026