The team at TURNERBATSON enjoyed an afternoon on The University of Alabama’s Smith Family Center for the Performing Arts Center construction site for the “Topping-Out” Event. The event was hosted by M.J. Harris Construction Services. The project is approximately half way through completion and it was a great time to pause and thank all of those that have been involved to date.

The topping out ceremony is a construction tradition marking the completion of a building’s structure, originating in ancient Scandinavia around 700 AD. The practice spread to England and later the United States, where it evolved to include signing the final beam, placing an evergreen tree for growth, and an American flag for national pride. This beam is often painted white and signed by project workers, owners, and other stakeholders.

The ceremony celebrates the project team’s hard work, honors tradespeople, and signifies a crucial milestone in the construction process.

In addition to raising the “last beam”, the contractor spent the entire night before smoking meat for all to enjoy the following day as part of a lunch gathering, followed by door prize giveaways and a dunking booth.