Skateboarders get some big air
Skateboarders got to show off their stuff Saturday at the first Father Marinaro Skate Park Competition and Community Day.
Twenty skateboarders signed up to compete in three categories — under 17, over 18 and a miniramp competition — at the event that ran from 1 to 6 p.m.
Dave Huffman of Butler said after his first 45-second run for the judges, “You just kind of do whatever you want to do. I just got too handsy. I was not as comfortable as I thought I was in my home park.”
He and his friend, Jeremiah Schmidt of Butler, are at the skate park a lot.“We're park sharks. We skate together,” said Huffman.Schmidt said he didn't have a routine worked out for his competition.“You just do whatever you are good at and look good doing,” he said.But he wasn't happy with his first run, either.He said, “I felt I could have done better. I've got to get as consistent a run as I can.”
Schmidt still wasn't pleased with his performance after his second pass in front of the judges.“I did not do as good as I thought I would” he said. “But it's all for fun.”For those too young or too old for the skateboarding competition there were plenty of other fun activities available.There was a bounce house, a dunk tank, vendors, free lunches from the Fishers of Men ministry and free cotton candy from the Pine Valley Children's Camp.Five skate ramps had been completely restored and rebuilt before the competition.Cindy Parker of the South Side Park Group said she was very happy with the turnout for what she hopes will become an annual event.“But the biggest goal aside from raising money is raising awareness,” said Parker. “I feel this park has been forgotten. I think it can do things for the community and the neighbors.”She said the money raised from concession stand sales Saturday would go to buying a projector and a screen so free movie nights could be staged at the park later this summer.Jamie Reed, a board member of the South Side Park Group, said the park has come a long way from when he moved to Butler two years ago.“When I first came, this park it was completely trashed,” he said. “It's been completely cleaned up.”The park's need of attention sparked the creation of the nonprofit group.
