Young skaters put their skills to the test at the newly opened Brandon Skate Park, Hillsborough County’s first ever skateboarding recreation facility. Seeking local sponsors, the department will hold the 2012 Skate Jam/Band Jam under the direction of the County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department.
Continuing its momentum of hype following the opening of its first skate park, Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department is seeking local business sponsors for its upcoming 2012 Band Jam/Skate Jam.
The event is scheduled to be held on Saturday, July 14, at the Brandon Skate Park, located at 5720 Providence Rd., and invites local skaters and musicians to showcase their athletic and musical skills by performing their best tricks and tunes for a prize.
According to County spokesperson, Willie Puz, the 2012 Band Jam/Skate Jam will become an annual event at the Brandon Park, where five-six participants will compete at a time in a skate jam, doing skateboarding tricks one after the other, while local bands fill the festivities with music.
Puz emphasized that to take part in the festivities does not require one to be a skater or a musician.
“The department is now seeking sponsorship to help cover the cost of food, drink, prizes for skaters, sound and stage, all promising to add to the event’s success,” he said.
Bands and music featured during the event include, Rick Furious-Dub Step DJ, Black Water, Hanging Chads, Academy Of Rock. Stage, lighting and sound is sponsored by Peace Transport.
Other sponsors so far committed include Thrashers Magazine, Square One, 5 Star Skate Shop and 688 Skate Shop.
Sponsors can place banners at the Brandon Skate Park on the day of the event and will be mentioned in fliers, promotions and announced during the event.
The Brandon Skate Park, an 11,000 sq. ft. obstacle street and bowl course, opened in April 2012 and according to Community Relations Coordinator Kemly Green has attracted skateboarders of all ages throughout the Hillsborough and nearby counties.
“Things are going very well at the park,” Green said. “Since grand opening, almost a thousand waivers have been signed. Admission is still free, and with 250 visits per week it shows a positive and great support from the community.”
The Brandon Park is Hillsborough County’s first skate park facility, but it is not the last.
Final touches on a second skate park in Apollo Beach are also underway, and according to County officials, it is scheduled for completion and a grand opening this summer.
Organizations interested in sponsoring the upcoming Skate Jam/Bad Jam must send a letter of interest to: Lori Hudson, Hillsborough County Communications Department County Center, 16th Floor 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. Tampa, FL 33602.
For more information about the park and other county facilities, please visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org.
