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Gaff-N-Go Rodeo
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Gaffs and Grit

There was no bull at the 2026 Gaff-n-Go Rodeo

June 2026

An elevated, wide-angle shot of a large outdoor lineman rodeo event on a grassy field next to a large pavilion building. The field is filled with dozens of tall wooden utility poles erected for climbing competitions, surrounded by crowds of people, vendor tents, and utility trucks. The foreground features parked pickup trucks, trailers, and white event tents, while a rural landscape of fields and forests stretches into the background under an overcast sky.

by Jeff Caldwell, Staff Writer

The 22nd annual Gaff-n-Go Rodeo, hosted by the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives, highlighted the skills of electric lineworkers who keep power flowing across the region. Lineworkers from electric cooperatives, investor-owned utilities, municipal systems and private contractors competed in events that reflect their daily work, including pole climbing, equipment operation and drone challenges.

“Watching these professionals demonstrate the skill it takes to safely and reliably keep electricity flowing to the 2 million members we serve is impressive,” says Brian Mosier, president and CEO of the association. “This competition highlights the training required to become a lineworker and recognizes those who work around the clock in all conditions.”

THE EVENT’S NAME COMES FROM THE GAFF, A METAL SPIKE ATTACHED TO BOOTS TO CLIMB WOODEN UTILITY POLES.

For more information, results and pictures from the event, visit gaff-n-go.com or facebook.com/gaffngo.

A thank-you graphic from VMDAEC featuring a large, faded "Thank You!" in the background. The text reads: "VMDAEC thanks all of the sponsors, vendors, volunteers and competitors that make this event — the largest event of its kind in our region — continue growing year after year." Below the text is a grid of sponsor and vendor logos, which include: * Row 1: Asplundh, ATK Energy Group, AUI Power, Bay Line Construction, Big Top Entertainment, Bone Safety Signs, Bradley Electro Sales Corp, Pike, PLP, Polecrete Stabilizer, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, Sensor Link. * Row 2: Lewis, MEC, Milwaukee, NOVEC, ODEC, Hastings, James River Equipment (100 Years), Kelly Company, Koppers, Lee Electrical Construction Inc., Buckingham Buck, CEE-US. * Row 3: CFC (Cooperative Finance), Coyne First Aid, Dominion Energy, Flagger Force, G&W Electric.

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