Foley brought public works professionals from across the Alabama Gulf Coast together Sept. 25 for the inaugural Gulf Coast Heavy Equipment Roadeo at OWA Parks and Resort, giving the workers who operate heavy machinery and maintain public infrastructure a chance to put their skills on display.

Organized by the city of Foley, the multi-county competition is an expanded version and rebranding of the Baldwin County Municipal Equipment Rodeo, which debuted in Foley in 2025. This year's event featured 14 teams representing cities, counties and utility agencies from throughout the region.

Operators competed in a series of challenges involving bulldozers, excavators, skid steers, trackhoes and other heavy equipment, with individual and team awards presented in each category.

Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the event provided an opportunity to recognize public works employees whose work often happens behind the scenes.

"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 got a firsthand look at the precision required to operate the equipment when they took part in a garbage truck challenge. Competitors had to maneuver a large garbage truck to two containers, use the truck's side-mounted arm to empty the containers into the vehicle then back the truck into a designated spot.

Hellmich said participating in the challenge gave him a greater appreciation for the work public works employees perform each day.

The competition also featured challenges using mini-excavators, bulldozers, excavators and skid steers.

Foley's Austin Parker won the Brothers Machinery Mini-excavator individual competition. The challenge required operators to use a mini-excavator's crane bucket to maneuver a bowling ball through a series of orange traffic cones in less than 30 seconds.

Parker said the competition allowed operators to demonstrate their abilities while getting to know public works employees 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 won the team competition in the mini-excavator category.

Zach Whitehead of Robertsdale won the individual competition in the Parish Tractor Skid Steer category, while Robertsdale won the team competition.

The Baldwin County Highway Department won the team competition in the Thompson Tractor Bulldozer category, with Dillon Smith of the BCHD taking the individual award.

In the TEC Equipment Trackhoe competition, Ryan Fralik of the East Baldwin Water Authority won the individual award. Robertsdale won the team competition.

Robertsdale was named the event's grand champion.

Mike Chavers, Foley street superintendent, said the Roadeo was a collaborative effort involving city departments, OWA and the participating agencies.

"Everyone helped make this a major success, the mayor and council, city administration, departments and OWA," he said. "It was a great day and a great event."

In addition to the equipment competitions, the event featured live music from Chitlin Switch and food sales. Proceeds from lunch sales benefited Youth Reach Gulf Coast.