On Saturday, Nov. 4, two local non-profit organizations held a joint fundraiser at Southern Pines Brewing Company on Air Tool Road for a new skatepark.
The inaugural Clark Chevrolet Cadillac Lip Rippin’ Chicken Wing Cook-off, organized by Friends of the Skateparks Foundation and Skaters for Moore, hosted 21 competitors, dozens of vendors, live music, and an estimated crowd of 2,500 – 3,000 people, according to a press release from William Dean, founder of Skaters for Moore and owner of Flowland.
Other activities that day included a skateboard demonstration and clinic put on by veteran-owned Snake Farm Skateboards and a Birds of Prey exhibit by American Wildlife Refuge, just to name a few.
Families from all over were encouraged to buy tickets that were exchanged at the competitor’s tents for a chicken wing. According to event organizer, Terry Grimble, 6,000 wing tickets were sold. Wings were then judged by a panel of 15 local celebrities in various categories to determine who would win a combined cash prize of $1,000 and prize packs provided by area sponsors.
Winners included McGee Pools of Wilmington (Most Original), La Boardega of Mebane (Hottest), locals N2Flow Skateboards (Best Theme) & Kickback Jacks (People’s Choice), with Best Overall going to Dubwings of Fayetteville.
As a result of the fundraiser, Friends of the Skateparks Foundation and Skaters for Moore jointly raised $21,754 for the Southern Pines Skatepark Project. Due to the recent award of the Pinehurst Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau matching grant, the amount raised was essentially doubled to over $43,500 for the day. Every dollar raised, either via private or corporate donation or grant, up to $200,000 will be matched, with the goal of $400,000 for a permanent concrete skatepark to be located at Memorial Park in Southern Pines. The collective working to get the park built has raised $228,000, including the match.
The park will be open to all action sports enthusiasts, including skateboarders, BMXers, rollerbladers, and more. Construction on the project is set to begin sometime in mid-2024.
For more information on becoming involved with this project to build more outdoor recreation for area families, please visit www.SkatersForMoore.org or call 910.315.3175.
Contributed/Courtesy photo.
