Southeastern to present interactive welding ‘Big Rig’ at Strawberry Festival
Friday, April 5, 2024 
by: Tonya Lowentritt
BIG WHEELS AT THE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL - Southeastern Louisiana University is partnering with the American Welding Society to bring their Careers in Welding Mobile Welding Exhibit to the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival. It marks the first time the exhibit is coming to the Gulf South.
HAMMOND - Southeastern is partnering with the American Welding Society to bring
their Careers in Welding Mobile Welding Exhibit to the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival.
It marks the first time the exhibit is coming to the Gulf South.
Industrial and Engineering Technology Instructor Anthony Blakeney said the AWS
Careers in Welding Mobile Exhibit has been a driving force for welding education and
career development.
“The 53-foot single-expandable trailer provides visitors with a unique learning
experience,” he said. “Its wide array of hands-on exhibits engages the senses and
sparks an interest in the welding industry.”
Since 2011, the AWS Foundation’s Careers in Welding mobile exhibit has been reaching
people around the country and highlighting welding as a career choice. The mobile
exhibit features Lincoln Electric VRTEX virtual welding machines, along with exhibits
that promote the field’s numerous career paths.
The festival opens Thursday night, April 11, and continues through Sunday, April
14. Area high school students are invited to come during the day on Thursday before
the festival opens that evening.
“Since Thursday is dedicated to locals, this would give area students an opportunity
to experience the exhibit before anyone else,” Blakeney said. “The weekend is so busy
with 400,000 people it makes it difficult for locals to attend, especially if they
are working with a non-profit organization at the festival.”
More information about the exhibit can be found at https://www.aws.org/Community-and-Events/Mobile-Exhibit/.
