PHOENIX, ARIZ. (Sept. 23, 2025) – The Arizona Masonry Council is proud to announce the 2025 Masonry Expo, taking place on Saturday, October 18, at Oldcastle’s Lone Butte Plant, 6629 West Germann Road, Chandler, Arizona.
This exciting event showcases the skill, speed, and craftsmanship of Arizona’s masonry workforce through three competitions: high school masonry, apprentice masonry, and the thrilling Fastest Trowel on the Block.
The highlight of the day, the Fastest Trowel on the Block, kicks off at 11 a.m., where seasoned masons and their tenders race against the clock to lay as many blocks as possible in 20 minutes. This contest is not only a test of speed but a celebration of craftsmanship and pride in the trade.
High school masonry competition, 8 a.m.: More than 30 high schools from across Arizona will send their top masonry students to compete in a one-hour challenge. Contestants will be judged on plumb, level, square, and range measurements, production, tooling, and neatness for a total of 150 possible points.
This competition showcases the next generation of skilled tradespeople and includes standout competitors, including Kate McKuen, a senior at Canyon del Oro High School in Tucson. A member of CDO’s Architecture Program, she competed at the National SkillsUSA competition in Atlanta last year as the only Arizona competitor in the masonry high school competition for the second consecutive year.
Apprentice masonry competition, 7 a.m.: Apprentices from EVIT (East Valley Institute of Technology) and PCC (Pima Community College) will compete in a two-hour challenge that serves as their final grade and a qualifier for the World of Concrete competition in Las Vegas in January 2026. Apprentices from Years 1, 2, and 3 will be judged on the same criteria as the high school competitors, with projects designed to test both technical skill and craftsmanship.
Fastest Trowel on the Block, 11 a.m.: This thrilling 20-minute contest pits seasoned masons and their tenders against the clock to lay as many 8"x8"x16" and 8"x8"x8" CMU blocks as possible, using 120 blocks provided by AMC. Judging is randomized to ensure fairness, and contestants must clean up their work after the initial build. The top mason earns bragging rights and a spot at the World of Concrete in Las Vegas. This contest is a celebration of speed, precision, and pride in the trade.
All contestants must follow strict safety protocols, including wearing protective gear and competition T-shirts throughout the event. No outside consultation is allowed during the competition, and judging will be conducted by a panel of 10 industry experts per contest.
“This event is a celebration of the future and the legacy of masonry in Arizona,” said Dawn Rogers, Executive Director of the Arizona Masonry Council. “We’re thrilled to bring together students, apprentices, and professionals to showcase their talent and passion. It’s inspiring to see young competitors, including returning champions and rising stars like Kate (McKuen), who represented Arizona at the National Skills USA competition last year, proving that the future of masonry is diverse, strong, and incredibly skilled. The Masonry Expo promises a day of excitement, education, and community pride.”