The night before the big day of competition at the International Lineman's Rodeo, lineworkers and their families look forward to an annual tradition--Trade Night. The event began with a small group trading company-branded T-shirts and hats, but it has since grown into a full-scale swap meet.
Long tables line the walls as lineworkers trade everything from T-shirts to challenge coins to bottle openers and hats. The event allows the trade to be able to relax, unwind and connect before competing the following day.
The following photo gallery showcases photos taken by Field Editor Amy Fischbach's 14-year-old daughter, Lily. For more information about the stories behind the shirts, look for a highlight video on T&D World's website soon.
Amy Fischbach is the Field Editor for T&D World magazine and manages the Electric Utility Operations section. She is the host of the Line Life Podcast, which celebrates the grit, courage and inspirational teamwork of the line trade. She also works on the annual Lineworker Supplement and the Vegetation Management Supplement as well as the Lineman Life and Lineman's Rodeo News enewsletters. Amy also covers events such as the Trees & Utilities conference and the International Lineman's Rodeo. She is the past president of the ASBPE Educational Foundation and ASBPE and earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism from Kansas State University. She can be reached at [email protected].