Florida Municipal Electric Association Holds 2025 Florida Lineman Competition this Saturday in Ocala

The annual Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) Florida Lineman Competition will take place this Saturday, March 1, in Ocala. Electric lineworkers from all over the state and as far away as California will come together to demonstrate their skill and knowledge in the craft of line work. Hosted by Ocala Electric Utility, the competition will take place at the Word Equestrian Center. 

Competitors will compete in one of two categories – journeyman teams or apprentices. Journeyman teams, which include at least one lineworker who has been in the industry for five years or more, are made up of three lineworkers. Apprentices, or lineworkers in training, compete individually.

This year, competitors will take on various challenges such as changing out cables, disconnecting power lines, replacing arrestors and insulators and completing a simulation of rescuing an injured lineworker. Competitors earn points for completing the tasks as quickly as possible and lose points if safety standards and proper work practices are not followed.

The competition includes a mutual aid event in which two apprentices and one journeyman from three different utilities will compete together in an event that simulates work done in a mutual aid power restoration situation.

Electric utility workers from 18 utilities are participating in the 2025 Florida Lineman Competition. This includes 156 lineworkers from 15 utilities registered to compete, comprised of 77 apprentices and 79 journeyman lineworkers competing on 24 teams, and 64 judges from across the state that will score competitors.

The winners will be announced at an awards banquet on Saturday evening.

“This annual event not only allows lineworkers to provide the public with a look into life on the line, but it also serves as an opportunity for professional development and recognition, and to build camaraderie with peers from across the state. The Florida Lineman Competition allows us to celebrate the dedication of our lineworkers to their craft, their communities, and to each other,” said Amy Zubaly, FMEA Executive Director.

The event is free and open to the public. FMEA encourages members of the public to come out, bring their families, and enjoy the competition on Saturday, starting with the opening ceremony at 7:30 a.m. Activities for children, including a bounce house and children’s area, and food trucks will be on-site. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs. Coolers are permitted, and parking is available free of charge.

View event information and the event agenda here. For more information on FMEA and the Florida Lineman Competition Rodeo, please visit www.flpublicpower.com.