Shop 'n' Shred Event Coming to Pittsfield Skate Park
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— On Sunday, the Pittsfield Skate Plaza will be filled with vendors and, of course, skateboarding.
This comes months after the closure of Pittsfield's longtime skate shop, The Garden.
The Parks Commission on Tuesday approved a skate jam and flea market event scheduled for Aug. 24 at the Appleton Avenue park. It is a collaboration between Downtown Pittsfield Inc. and Bomb Shack Vintage, owned by professional BMX bike rider Jake Seeley.
DPI's Managing Director Rebecca Brien described it as a "shop and shred skateboard jam."
"It's actually going to combine both the activity obviously meant at the skate park, which will be skateboarding, along with approximately 20 vendors as well, selling goods that are similar and would be interesting to those individuals," she said.
"Jake has held things like this in the past."
It will run from noon to 5 p.m. Seeley is a member of DPI, and this is their first time partnering for the event.
"We'd really like just to get approval for this. It's a great activity for all ages," Brien told the commission.
Commissioners agreed, some wondering where all of the 10-by-10-foot vendor tents will fit. Brien assured them that everything was measured.
The city's longtime skate shop, The Garden, closed early this year after opening in the early 2000s. Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath pointed out that Seeley was a part of skate jams organized by the shop.
"So I'd imagine Jake has a good understanding of how they operate and sort of how to maximize participation and keep everyone safe," McGrath said.
Brien added that Bomb Shack has been a "staple" in downtown for a few years.
"This is good," Commissioner Simon Muil said. "Now that The Garden is not around, I'm in favor of having some organized events at the skate park."
Commissioner Anthony DeMartino noted, "I think each of these events has been well run before, and I'm glad that people who have been involved previously are still involved."
A Facebook page for the event reads:
"With over 20 of Berkshire County's finest vintage, rework, and art vendors, you'll find unique treasures as you soak up the vibrant atmosphere. Meanwhile, don't miss our all-day open shred session, featuring small jams throughout the park where you can compete for cash and prizes! This is an all-ages event open to everyone."
The commission also approved the 12th annual Berkshire County Out of the Darkness Walk to Fight Suicide, which takes off at 9:30 a.m. from The Common on September 20.
Heather White of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention explained that the rates of suicide in Berkshire County are higher than the rest of the state. The event usually has between 150 and 350 attendees, so planners applied for a march permit.
"We all know there are well more people that could use a day of hope and healing after the effects of a suicide or their own personal struggles," White said.
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