Snow Plow Rodeo Hones Operator Skills

COURT HOUSE – The Cape May County Public Works Association hosted the annual Snow Plow Rodeo, Oct. 24, at the Naval Air Station Wildwood. There were nearly one hundred entries in this year’s event representing Cape May County departments, local municipalities and other agencies.
 “The main objective of the rodeo is to promote safety and aid the preparation of equipment and operators for the upcoming winter season. We are very proud of the work all of these entities and their employees do throughout the year for the residents and taxpayers of Cape May County.” Expressed Freeholder Will Morey, who oversees Cape May County Public Works
Grant Russ, President of the Cape May County Public Works Association, added, “The snow plow operators look forward to the rodeo each year. The constructive competition gives them an opportunity to show their skills and earn recognition for their departments as well.”
The Rodeo is held each year at the Cape May County Airport.  All trucks are inspected for proper safety equipment and then traverse a course of seven challenging obstacles, designed to simulate real world conditions during a storm event.
The event was sponsored by several local Public Works vendors and lunch was provided by the Fight Deck Diner.
Drivers competed in three different categories; Class A – vehicles 15,000 pounds and under, Class B – vehicles between 15,000 and 26,000 pounds and Class C – vehicles 26,000 pounds and over.
The following are the winners of the 2017 Snow Plow Rodeo.
Best of Show: Nick Blasi, Wildwood Crest.
Class A: First Place – Ocean City – Mike Hood /Second Place – Cape May County PW – Matt Palmer /Third Place – Middle Township – Steven Smearman
Class B: First Place – Stone Harbor – Dominick Grassi / Second Place – Cape May County PW – Bill Cook/Third Place – Middle Township – David Maahs
Class C: First Place – Wildwood Crest -Nick Blasi/Second Place – Ocean City – Jason Santoro/Third Place – Cape May County PW – John Hanagan