The city of Foley brought public works professionals together from across the Alabama Gulf Coast to compete in a one-of-a-kind skills competition. The inaugural Gulf Coast Heavy Equipment Roadeo drew 14 teams representing cities, counties, and utility agencies from across the region. Competitors operated bulldozers, excavators, skid steers, and other heavy equipment through a series of timed challenges. The event took place at OWA Parks and Resort in Foley.
The competition was held on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, and was organized by the city of Foley to showcase the talent of workers who operate heavy equipment and maintain critical public infrastructure every day.
Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich spoke about the event’s purpose. “This features our municipal, county, and utilities workers, all of the people who work out there every day among our citizens,” Hellmich said. “This is a way of featuring their talents and skills and for us to show our appreciation for what they do and for the public to come out and see what they can do.”
Hellmich and other public officials competed in a garbage truck challenge, getting a firsthand look at what operators face daily. Competitors had to drive a large garbage truck up to two cans, empty them using the vehicle’s side arm, and then back the truck into a designated spot. Hellmich said the event helped him appreciate what workers have to do each day.
Austin Parker, a Foley competitor, won the Brothers Machinery Mini-Excavator competition. He used the vehicle’s crane bucket to maneuver a bowling ball through a series of orange traffic cones in less than 30 seconds. Parker said the event gave operators a chance to connect with workers from other agencies.
“This is our bread and butter, doing this,” he said. “We love doing this and coming out here seeing all the folks from other municipalities. It’s a chance to meet people and spend some time with them and for everyone to have a good time.”
Foley also captured the team title in the mini-excavator category. In the Parish Tractor Skid Steer competition, Zach Whitehead of Robertsdale won the individual prize, and Robertsdale also took the team title.
The Baldwin County Highway Department won the Thompson Tractor Bulldozer team competition. Dillon Smith of the BCHD earned the individual prize in that category. In the TEC Equipment Trackhoe competition, Ryan Fralik of the East Baldwin Water Authority took the individual title, while Robertsdale won the team event.
Robertsdale was named the overall grand champion of the inaugural Gulf Coast Heavy Equipment Roadeo.
Mike Chavers, Foley Street Superintendent, credited the success of the event to everyone who pitched in. “Everyone helped make this a major success: the mayor and council, city administration, departments, and OWA,” Chavers said. “It was a great day and a great event.”
The competition also featured live music by the band Chitlin Switch, along with food sales. Proceeds from the lunch sales benefited Youth Reach Gulf Coast.
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