The International Lineman's Rodeo, held Sept. 9-12, 2004, took on a decidedly different look this year, as organizers moved the trade show and evening events from downtown Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. to Overland Park, Kansas, U.S. The Friday night barbecue and “trade night” went on as usual, with linemen swapping all sorts of apparel, including shirts, hats, belt buckles, pens, jackets, and yes, even underwear. (The utility in question has asked to remain nameless.) Organizers decided to go all out with skydivers opening the event and fireworks closing out the evening.

Because hurricanes were lashing Florida, attendance from the entire Southeast region of the United States was down. After all, putting up wires and reconnecting homes takes precedence over rodeos. Neighboring utilities sent crews to help their Southern brethren. The resulting impact on the rodeo was a cancellation of 50 apprentices and 50 journeyman teams. The Jamaican team actually arrived in Kansas City, only to be recalled home as Hurricane Ivan — the third hurricane of the season — was threatening to hit their fair island.

The rodeo competition took place Saturday at the rodeo fairgrounds in Bonner Springs, Kansas. Although the weather in Florida was abysmal, conditions in Kansas City could not have been more cooperative. Sunny skies and weather in the 70s provided a climate conducive for moms and children to watch the competition.

The Kansas City Power & Light honor guard opened the ceremony, marching in climbing gear with their hotsticks twirling. Journeymen linemen queued up to compete in the pole climb, crossarm replacement, hurt man rescue and insulator replacement. The apprentices competed individually in the pole climb, hurt man rescue and a mystery event (relocate switch and bracket). The apprentice competition also required a written test that makes up a big part of the overall score.

This event is becoming more international with teams from England, Ireland and Canada competing this year. Representatives from Thailand were in attendance and learning more about the event in hopes of competing next year.

The competitions ran smoothly, possibly because the organization reduced the number of mystery events. This year, all events were completed by 4 p.m., giving the linemen the opportunity to clean up for closing ceremonies, while judges tallied the scores and lined up the trophies.

Before the prime rib dinner was served on Saturday evening, attendees were treated to a video of the day's events with linemen in action displayed on the main screen. Next was a video tribute to the line workers who had brought power back to New York City after the 9/11 catastrophe that befell the World Trade Center.

After dinner (shirt trading was surreptitiously going on although not officially sanctioned), Dennis Kerr presented 10 line college scholarships to worthy individuals. Master of Ceremonies Mike Willman presented trophies to the top five winners in every event and to the top three winners in the overall category. The place was a madhouse with all sorts of hollering and clapping and back-slapping going on. Cameras were flashing as family and friends caught winners heading up to collect their awards.

The lineman's rodeo is becoming a “must attend” event that's just too fun to miss, as evidenced by all the teams that come each year to eat, greet and compete.