Skateboarding competition aims to raise funds for skate park

BANGOR – Skateboarders from all over Maine will flock to the city Saturday for the third annual Bangor Skate Park Competition.

The event is designed to allow skateboarders to show off their skills and receive awards.

Participants will be divided into three categories – beginner, intermediate and advanced – and will be judged on the level of difficulty of the tricks they perform and how well they use the various elements of the park.

There will also be a special category for in-line skating. BMX riding is prohibited in the park and will not be a part of the competition.

Event coordinator Ashlee Detour said this year’s event will be the biggest yet.

“We put fliers up all over Maine, from Rockland to Calais. We’ve even had people from New Brunswick say they were planning to come and compete. We’re estimating this year’s attendance to be double that of previous years.”

One new part of the event will be live music, as well as free refreshments.

All proceeds from the event will go to the Bangor Skate Park fund-raising committee. The committee has held car washes and bottle drives this summer to raise money for the park’s care and maintenance.

The competition will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14. Registration will begin at 9 a.m., and the competition will get under way around 10:30 a.m. There is a $5 registration fee. All ages and skill levels are welcome.

The Bangor Skate Park is in front of the Bangor Auditorium. For information, contact Ashlee Dutour at 478-7662.