Drivers jockey for bragging rights at Loves Park’s annual ‘Snow Plow Rodeo’

LOVES PARK, Ill. (WTVO) — Snow plow drivers from across the country arrived in Loves Park Friday morning to duke it out in the annual “Snow Plow Rodeo.”

Drivers said they took part in the event for some friendly competition, but also to hone their skills ahead of the winter season.

The event was held at the Loves Park Village Hall, at 100 Heart Blvd, and has been hosted by the Northwest Branch of the American Public Works Association for the past 20 years.

Cliff Runyard took the helm of a Loves Park city plow. An experienced city snow plow driver for the last 17 years, he’s taken part in the Snow Plow Rodeo for the past 15.

“It’s enjoyable,” he said Friday, as he took the courses’ barrel obstacles in a “figure eight” pattern.

Runyard said the course gives him good practice ahead of the snow.

“You pick up little tricks along the way, about where to put snow,” he said. “That works out for everybody.”

Shannon Messinger, the Street Department manager for Loves Park, is a former plow driver himself.

“We try to give (the drivers) as much creature comforts and view, and make sure everybody’s safe, but there’s still a lot of constant movement, with those guys driving those trucks. It’ll wear you out at the end of a shift,” Messinger said.

The top three winners of the competition will receive a trophy and bragging rights for the whole year.

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