Celebrate all things skateboarding in Ann Arbor at Light Up the Park on June 23

Event to kick off fundraising campaign to install park lighting

Andy MacDonald surrounded in the Ann Arbor Skatepark kidney bowl during its grand opening on June 21, 2014. (Photo Credit: Miki Vuckovich)

ANN ARBOR – Get ready for some serious skateboarding fun on June 23 when the Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark in collaboration with the city of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation and GIVE 365 host Light Up the Park, a free event marking five years since the park had its grand opening.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., enjoy skateboarding competitions, music, food for purchase and a vendor area.

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Special guests include: 

  • Nine-time skateboarding world champion Andy Macdonald
  • Recent Birdhouse Skateboards pro Alec Beck 
  • Musician and professional skateboarder Ron Allen
  • LA Rams running back and skateboarder John Kelly
  • Midwest hero and nearly pro skater Gabby Rataiczak 
  • Arizona Skate Rising program manager/skateboarder Janthavy Norton

Light Up the Park kicks off a campaign by the Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark to raise money to install "much-needed" lighting at the park.

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Interested in becoming a sponsor? Email Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark founder Trevor Staples at trevor@a2skatepark.org.

According to a press release, decreased daylight from September to April affects skating hours: "This dramatically cuts down on the time that skateboarders, rollerbladers and scooter riders can practice their sports. As with the baseball and softball diamonds in Veterans Memorial Park, lights for the skatepark will offer users the opportunity for many more hours of recreation each day."

The event is part of a global skateboarding-themed weekend. June 21 is International Go Skateboarding Day, and the Riverside Park Skatepark in Detroit will have its grand opening on June 22.

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