Southern Crane Lifts Holiday Spirits in Raleigh

RALEIGH, N.C (I-Newswire) December 10, 2011 - Known primarily for providing crane services to general construction and industrial customers, Southern Crane has had fun lifting holiday spirits in downtown Raleigh in recent weeks. Southern Crane was called upon to hoist chillers into place for the Winterfest ice rink downtown, and recently became the first-ever crane to participate in the Raleigh Christmas Parade.

Early last week, Southern Crane lifted into place the large chillers used to freeze the Winterfest ice rink, which opened in downtown Raleigh Dec. 3. Winterfest is a two-month extravaganza featuring an outdoor skating rink with natural ice, a unique civic activity for a Southern city. The outdoor ice rink is set up each year on Fayetteville Street’s City Plaza and is accompanied by other family friendly holiday activities.

Southern Crane used its 190-ton crane, “The Bear” to easily hoist into place the heavy chillers for rink creators Magic Ice USA. Installing chillers is the most crucial part of constructing the 45-foot by 90-foot rink, especially given Raleigh’s average December temperature is 54 degrees.

This type of civic project is what Southern Crane Founder and President Earl Johnson, III loves to make happen for his hometown.

“We’re a family company celebrating our 50th anniversary here locally, and we love Christmas traditions,” said Johnson. “It’s fun to help create something that gives people so much enjoyment around the holidays.”

Southern Crane also made history during Raleigh’s annual Christmas Parade by being the first crane company to participate. Parade bystanders were treated to Southern Crane’s 100-ton crane decorated with a giant wreath, adorned with 75 feet of fresh pine garland, and a Christmas tree mounted to the top of its boom.

Parade organizers at the Greater Raleigh Merchants Association were pleased that the Christmas crane was a unique addition to this year’s lineup, which received stares of amazement from children in attendance.

“We are happy to celebrate annual holiday events as part of our hometown spirit,” Johnson said. “We enjoy finding new ways to lift up Raleigh throughout the year.”

The crane company’s holiday role is not quite finished, either. In just a few weeks, Southern Crane will help the City of Oaks celebrate another of its long-standing traditions, lowering the city’s iconic giant acorn at First Night Raleigh.

The acorn sculpture is made of copper and steel and weighs in at 1,250 pounds. Southern Crane has delighted New Year’s revelers by lowering the cherished acorn at the stroke of midnight every year since the inaugural First Night Raleigh held back on December 31, 1991.

Southern Crane is among the Southeast’s most comprehensive crane and rigging service providers. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Industrial Constructors, one of the largest private employers in North Carolina. Southern Crane operates in Raleigh, Charlotte and Wilmington, N.C., and Columbia, S.C. The company is a passionate advocate nationally for industry safety standards requiring its crane operators to be certified by the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO). All Southern Crane operators have been awarded NCCCO certification.

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