Don’t miss MASONRY MADNESS® at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas! It’s a collection of the most exciting masonry competitions in the world and it all takes place on one day, at one location. There’s nothing like it on the planet!
Four intense battles, one event after the other, you’ll see the best bricklayers, blocklayers, mason apprentices and tenders battle in four unique masonry contests to prove who is the world’s best. You don’t want to miss seeing these highly skilled craftsmen compete for the largest value of cash and prizes awarded for any construction industry event held in the world—it’s pure MASONRY MADNESS!
MCAA’S MASONRY SKILLS CHALLENGE
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
9:00 – 12:00 PM
Las Vegas Convention Center, Bronze Lot
The MCAA’s Masonry Skills Challenge is a competition of masonry apprentices in first, second and third year skill levels. The contest is a showcase for skills training in the masonry industry, challenging winning apprentices from regional competitions held throughout the country to determine the top masonry apprentice at each level. The exciting competition spotlights our industry’s finest young masons and focuses attention on careers in the masonry industry.
Contestants are divided by experience level, “First Years” who are just entering the trade through “Third Years” who are just about to enter the workforce as journeymen. Each level is given a project to build appropriate to their know-how.
The catch? The projects are a complete surprise! Contestants must build their project without ever having seen the drawings. They haven’t been able to practice, and they can’t consult their instructor, employer or anyone else during the competition. They have three hours to complete their projects with the given materials.
Awards are presented to the top three apprentices in each skill level. Come and see who wins top honors this year!
Learn more at www.masonryskillschallenge.com.
SPEC MIX TOUGHEST TENDER®
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
10:45 – 11:15AM
Las Vegas Convention Center, Bronze Lot
Prior to the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® competition, each team’s mason tender will prove to the crowd who is the fastest in the “Toughest Tender” contest. The world’s top mason tenders compete for the fastest time and accuracy setting up their SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® workstation. Watch as they haul tons of brick, block, and equipment to show they have the most strength and stamina to take home $2,500 cash and prizes.
The record winning time in this event was set back in 2005 by Felipe Reyes of Connecticut with a time of 11 minutes, 7 seconds.
MCAA’S FASTEST TROWEL ON THE BLOCK
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
11:30 – 11:50 PM
Las Vegas Convention Center, Bronze Lot
The Fastest Trowel on the Block Competition, hosted by the Mason Contractors Association of America, is a showcase of industry craftsmanship and a testament of both the speed and skill of our industry’s workforce. Only those journeymen masons who have the skill, confidence and endurance to face-off with the industry’s best are invited to compete. This 20-minute fast and furious contest proves how important teamwork is in accomplishing a final product.
The competition will pit journeyman masons, accompanied by their favorite tender, against one another in a show of both speed and craftsmanship. Each contestant’s goal is to complete as much of a 30 foot long wall as possible, using 8″x8″x16″ CMU and the provided mortar in a twenty-minute heat. Contestants must have a high degree of workmanship using normal masonry practices and hand tools.
The contest promotes quality training and pride in workmanship among journeymen and contractors, as well as promoting the craftsmanship, speed and versatility of masonry systems and the masonry workforce. This contest also rewards and highlights the country’s best mason journeymen for their hard work and dedication to the trade.
Learn more at www.fastesttrowel.com.
SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500®
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
12:00 – 3:00 PM
Las Vegas Convention Center, Bronze Lot
Who is the world’s best bricklayer? The SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® competition at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas will answer the question.
Each of the 28 teams competing consists of a mason and mason tender building a 26 foot 8 inch, double wythe brick wall. The most bricks laid in one hour and fewest quality craftsmanship deductions wins the event.
Judged by over 20 highly qualified industry experts, the award places are based on the highest brick counts meeting the quality standards and competition rules. The judges will check each mason’s wall for workmanship and production to determine who will make it to the winner’s circle, where over $100,000 in cash and prizes will be given away.
The champion is awarded the title “World’s Best Bricklayer” and handed the keys to drive home in the grand prize, a new Ford F-250 4×4 SuperDuty Truck.
Learn more at www.specmixbricklayer500.com.
Words: Masonry Magazine
Photos: SPEC MIX®, Masonry Magazine