Construction professionals around the world – including commercial roofers – have a tradition called “topping out” that takes place when the final beam is put in place on a new building project.
“Topping out, or topping off, ceremonies are a time-honoured tradition that signify the successful completion of the structural phase of a project,” the property developers at Bensons in Australia explain. Here at All Weather Roofers of Cleveland, we like to think of the holiday season as a topping out celebration, marking the completion of the year.
And, coincidentally, a topping out usually involves putting a pine tree up at the pinnacle of the building.
Of course, this year our holiday celebrations will be different, but there is still plenty of cause to celebrate.
Happy Holidays in Cleveland
Maybe the holiday gathering at your house will be smaller this year in an effort to keep those you love safe. It’s disappointing to be sure but look on the bright side – 2020 is almost over! The end is in sight, in more ways than one. Not only is the New Year right around the corner, the first vaccine for Covid-19 is being approved.
And there are still plenty of festivities to help get you in the holiday spirit, including these featured by the Cleveland Traveler:
Cleveland’s traditional kickoff to the Christmas season – Winterfest – had to be canceled due to the pandemic, but there was a virtual tree lighting in Public Square and there are nightly light shows from 6 to 10 pm that you and your family can enjoy.
You know what they say about one door closing…. Well, we have a new holiday event to enjoy this year. It’s called Winter RiverFest and it’s running through Jan. 18 at Rivergate Park and Merwin’s Wharf along the Cuyahoga River in The Flats. The event features social-distance-friendly activities like a synthetic ice-skating rink, festive light displays, a beer garden with firepits, a holiday retail shop, and an igloo village. The winter village, which is put on by MTD and Cleveland Metro Parks, is usually open from 11 am to 8 pm.
As for our topping out celebrations, Bensons says, “For centuries, these ceremonies have celebrated the moment a structure reaches its highest point, marking this milestone of construction and granting the opportunity for the individuals involved in the construction of the project to celebrate the progress made.”
You might not have been able to afford to put new roofing on your Cleveland home this year or maybe you have a business in Cleveland and roof restoration instead of new commercial roofing was the name of the game in 2020. It doesn’t matter, we should all feel like we made progress this year.
So, congratulations on topping out the year from your friends at All Weather Roofers of Cleveland.