Some of the industry’s best tree professionals will be in Winterville this weekend.
Winterville is hosting the 21st Annual Georgia Tree Climbing Championship. The two-day event will showcase the talents of some of the best climbers in the country.
Neil Norton, Executive Director of the Georgia Arborist Association says the event provides exposure for professional arborists competing for a spot in international competition.
“It’s really just the best climbers from around the world,” Norton said. “They compete and we have a format. We do score keeping, it’s quite organized, and of course very safe for the climbers and for the trees.”
Norton says attendees will also have a chance to safely climb a tree on Saturday.
“It’s at Pittard Park which is right downtown Winterville,” Norton said. “We will have a family tree climb out there for kids that want to get up in the tree for the first time, and including parents that want to get up in the tree.”
Christie Bryant is President of the Georgia Arborist Association. She says while the event is fun, it may spark interest in those looking for unconventional jobs.
“If you’ve ever watched tree work happen, most people are intrigued by it, so this is a way to look at it a little bit more also,” Bryant said. “I know we’re in a college town, but, you know, we have a shortage in our industry of qualified workers. So, if you have a teenager that may not be college bound, it is a great career option.”
The event is free and open to the public.
Initial events began this Friday, while preliminary competition starts Saturday morning, and the Masters Challenge finals are on Sunday.