Scene in Easton: Drinky's Skate Jam

By Christina Georgiou

Drinky's Downtown Skate Jam brought hundreds of skaters and enthusiasts to Easton's Centre Square Saturday. While overcast, the crisp fall weather provided the perfect atmosphere for people to enjoy the sport in comfort.

Ramps were set up so participants of all ages and skill levels could hone their skills and show off their best, though many seemed to just be there to cheer on friends and enjoy the scene as well.

Highlights of the event included shows and demos by the Two Rivers Roller Derby, a BMX show by Dialed Action Sports Team, and the appearance of three-time X-Games medalist Matt Lindenmuth, whose Saucony Creek Brewing company was also an event sponsor.

HomeBase Skate Shop, from Bethlehem was also on hand, along with a few other vendors, to show off their wares to the avid crowd, all to the background beats of several DJs who took turns setting the musical mood.

Five local artists also demonstrated their skills at creating street art murals too, and the works were part of a silent auction benefiting Easton Main Street.

 Running from 3 to 9 p.m., the day wasn't over when the Skate Jam came to a close, either, as Drinky's hosted an afterparty for those over 21 who couldn't get enough.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out this quick clip of one of the BMX riders at Drinky's Skate Jam, Frankie Day, jumping over a Two Rivers Roller Derby girl...

Skate Jam to Include More than Just Skateboarding

By Christina Georgiou

 While Drinky's Skate Jam is obviously designed to delight skaters, the event, set to take place next Saturday on September 14, will offer something for everyone, says Drinky's manager and event organizer Tommy Urglavitch.

"This event is really about two or three different factions intertwined with it," he said while providing an update about planned events for the day earlier this week.

The Jam will take up the entire southeast quadrant of Centre Square beginning at 3 p.m. and music, live mural painting, along with a beer tent for those over 21 will be part of the festivities, he said.

DJ Fly, DJ Zee and DJ Jamal Knight, and DJ Bizz will keep music spinning all afternoon, Urglavitch said.

"With all the different ages, well, the music will be for all ages," he added.

There will be skating activities for all ages, including young children as well as teens and adults, and regional skate shops will compete at 7 p.m., with cash awards for those who place the highest performing various tricks, including a high Ollie, the longest fly-out and the best original trick. The competition will be sponsored by Homebase Skate Shop in Bethlehem, as well as 10th Street Tires in Easton, Urglavitch said.

Individuals can also participate, and skate the Red Bull half-pipe, though registration is required. Those under 18 will need the signed permission of a parent or guardian, but online registration is available, so parents don't necessarily need to be present during the event for teen skaters to take part, Urglavitch noted.

The Two Rivers Roller Derby team will be on hand running skill demonstrations, and they will also be doing face painting and bring along a magician and a ballon artist.

Six artists will paint murals during the course of the event, to be auctioned off, with the proceeds going to the Easton Main Street Initiative, Urglavitch added.

And, some high-profile skaters will come too, led by Saucony Creek Brewing Company owner and X-Games three-time medalist Matt Lindenmuth. The line up is set to be announced on Drinky's website next week, he said.

Drinky's manager Tommy Urglavitch and Easton Mayor Sal
Panto talk about the Drinky's Skate Jam Wednesday afternoon
in City Hall. The event will offer something for everyone, not
just skateboarders, they said.

And, while the skating will end by 9 p.m., the fun won't, Urglavitch said.

A party for those over 21 will be held after the Skate Jam at Drinky's.

"We're just hoping to cap off a great day with a great night," he said.

Mayor Sal Panto said Drinky's Downtown Skate Jam, which replaces winter snowboarding events the pub formerly sponsored in the past two years, is a perfect way to entice millennials to Downtown Easton.

"This will bring a lot of young people Downtown, and that's what we want to do," he said, adding,"Special events bring people to Downtown that may not ever come Downtown. Once they're here, they see the beauty...and then they come back."

The Drinky's Downtown Skate Jam is set to take place on Saturday, September 14 from 3 to 9 p.m. on the southeast quadrant of Centre Square, with an after-party for those over 21 at Drinky's.

For more information about the event, visit www.drinkys.com

Skate Event Coming to Centre Square in September

By Christina Georgiou

Drinky's general manager Tommy Urglavitch, second from
right, talks about the Drinky's Downtown Skate Jam, planned
for September in Easton 's Centre Square, accompanied by
other Drinky's representatives and Mayor Sal Panto.

Snowboarders may be disappointed to hear they won't be an event for them on Easton's Centre Square this year, but skaterboarders will get to enjoy an event dedicated to their sport in its place this September.

Drinky's announced Monday that the pub will be sponsoring the new event, dubbed "Drinky's Downtown Skate Jam", on Saturday, Sept. 14, running from 2 to 8 p.m.

An after-party for those over 21 is planned for the Centre Square pub as well, said Drinky's general managaer Tommy Urglavitch.

"We're excited about it because it will bring young people to town," said Mayor Sal Panto at a press conference announcing the new event.

The skateboarding event will have something for skaters of all ages and abilities, and will feature a 4-foot high, 8-foot wide, 26-foot long half pipe provided by sponsor Red Bull. The city's mobile skate park will be set up as well, Urglavitch said.

Smaller ramps and courses will be set up for skateboard enthusiasts as young as 5 to 6 years old too. Urglavitch said the event is designed to appeal to all ages.

In addition to Red Bull, Saucony Creek Brewing will also be a major sponsor, along with the City of Easton, he said.

SCB owner Matt Lindenmuth, who is a star skateboarder and alumni of the X-Games, Gravity Games, and the AST Dew Tour, will be on hand for the Drinky's Downtown Skate Jam, and will be bringing friends along for the event too, Urglavitch promised.

While the former snowboarding event was part of larger tour, Red Bull's Butter Cup, Drinky's Downtown Skate Jam is a stand-alone event.

"This one's just for us in Downtown Easton," Urglavitch said. "It's just a way for us to showcase, to show everyone what's happening in the city."


The eastern half of Centre Square, along with Northampton
Street between Second and Third Streets will be closed to
allow space for the various skateboarding events and
equipment during the Drinky's Downtown Skate Jam
in September.

The eastern half of Centre Square will be closed for the event, which will also take up Northampton Street between Second and Third streets. The 2 p.m. starting time is ideal, said Panto, since it won't interfere with the Easton Farmers' Market, which ends at 1 p.m.

Traffic will still be able to flow south through the circle, which will ensure the event doesn't cause backups on Route 22 off the Fourth Street exit, and other Downtown traffic will easily be rerouted around the event on Second and Fourth Streets, Panto added.

Community Spirit Day, which has traditionally taken place in the city around the same time as the new Drinky's Downtown Skate Jam, won't be held this year.

Tighter city finances mean the city needs to be more economical when it comes to holding city events and supporting those run by volunteer committees, Panto said--as a result, Community Spririt Day, which was supported entirely by city funding, has been cancelled this year.

"We'd rather support the events that can grow," the mayor said, adding that he expects the Drinky's Downtown Skate Jam, along with other Downtown festivals, such as the Easton Garlic Fest in October encourage more visitors to Easton, and encourage more people to shop, eat, and drink in the city.

Urglavitch said a dedicated website for the skate jam will be coming soon, but for now, the best way to get updates about plans for the event are through the pub's website at www.drinkys.com