After last year’s bravura Vegas debut at Wynn Las Vegas, Tony Hawk: SHRED Presents Stand Up For Skateparks is back, this Saturday afternoon, and is taking no prisoners.  The Tony Hawk Foundation’s annual family-centric action-sports carnival features games, activities, food, a pretty amazing auction, A-list celebrities, special musical performances (this year, from seminal LA punk band, X and DJ Z-Trip), and a Vert Demo with Tony and a crew of top-pro skaters and BMX riders on Tony's personal ramp.  

Since its establishment in 2002 by its namesake, professional skateboarder Tony Hawk, the Tony Hawk Foundation (under its mission to promote and provide funds for high-quality public skate-parks in low-income areas throughout the United States) has awarded $3.2 million to 463 communities.  THF focuses on working with local officials and grassroots, community-based organizations that plan to hire designers and contractors with strong experience designing and building skate-parks.

I was pretty impressed with what I saw at last year’s event, so this year I figured I’d ask Tony to tell me what it’s all about from his point of view.  Here are his As to my Qs…

Tony Hawk with Andy MacDonald (Photo: Anthony Acosta)

ShulmanSays:  Where did you come-up with the idea for Stand-up for Skateparks?

Tony Hawk:  I wanted to do a unique event as a fundraiser for the Tony Hawk Foundation.  Originally, we had stand-up comics performing, in addition to activities, skate exhibitions, and auction items. That changed to live music after the first two events, because it wasn't the right venue for comedy (too many kids and too much commotion).  Now that we have bands perform, we have found our groove, and the event is a big hit among families.

SS:  Your organization helped to build a park in Las Vegas.  What are some of the benefits to a city that receives such a facility?

Tony Hawk (Photo: Jody Morris)

TH:  It gives kids who choose to participate in a different type of sport/activity (such as skateboarding) a sense of belonging, as well as a safe place to practice their skills.  We find that skate-parks are used consistently, all day long, while other sports parks/facilities (for the most part) remain empty.

SS:  This is your second year in Las Vegas.  What were some of last year's highlights, from your perspective?

TH:  Having Rancid play was a huge honor for me.  Plus, we had some of the world's best skaters performing on the ramp.  Also – Wynn Las Vegas allowed us to cover their pool, in order to put my personal Vert Ramp on top of it.  And Andre Agassi showed up!

SS:  What can we look forward to at this year's event? 

TH:  One of the best skating exhibitions anyone could hope for including superstars such as Shaun White, Bucky Lasek, Sandro Dias, and Andy Macdonald.  There will be plenty of family activities, as well as a performance by legendary punk band X.

SS:  What's the best advice you were ever given?

TH:  Keep challenging yourself.

Wow!  Does it get any better than some hard-core grinding and family-fun done to the live sounds of punk goddess Exene Cervenka and her on-stage consort (and real-life ex), John Doe; all while raising money for deserving kids?  Not likely.

Stand Up For Skateparks
Presented by Tony Hawk: SHRED
Wynn Las Vegas
Saturday, November 6th
Noon – 4pm

Click HERE for tickets or more info

Get into it!