The sun is finally out to stay, which means summer activities are on the way! 

Are you a fan of skating? How about BMX? Or maybe you just enjoy supporting your local community. Regardless of which you choose, the Slam City Skatepark Action Sports & Music Festival is an awesome opportunity to get out and enjoy the town. 

On June 17, Fourth Street next to Lawton Skatepark just north of downtown Fort Wayne will be closed for the event.

Getting its start

“In July of 2015, we brought the first ever Action Sports and Music Festival to Fort Wayne on Calhoun Street near the Oyster Bar and CS3,” Slam City co-owner Rich Hoppe said. “The festival was a success, and the local media embraced the event with coverage from several outlets. 

“This year, we plan to bring back the annual festival. We will hold a BMX contest inside of the skate park. We will also set up a freestyle motocross jumping obstacle on Fourth Street with pro riders doing demonstrations, also a professional flatland BMX demo.”

And it won’t all be biking and skating.

“The event will include local food flavors, and musical entertainment by a friend of the skate park, Dwan Porter (DJ Dap One), a fellow skateboarder with a local DJ presence.” 

Braxton chase McGuire fund

I spoke with Hoppe about what this festival means to him. 

He said that not only is this an awesome opportunity to come out and enjoy some incredible professionals within the skating community, but also to support a company that is all for taking care of our youth. Part of the proceeds from the festival will go to the Braxton Chase McGuire Fund. 

“In memory of Braxton Chase McGuire, we have started a fund to raise awareness for those troubled by mental health and/or substance abuse problems,” a statement on Slam City’s website reads. “We plan to use these funds to engage our community with fun and engaging events while we continue to tell Braxton’s story.”

McGuire died in December at the age of 18.

In a video on the site, Hoppe tells the story of McGuire, who was introduced to Slam City Skatepark after losing his father. After moving from Colorado at 14 or 15 years old, he was introduced to Hoppe by his aunt. Taking the young man who was in different surroundings under his wing, Hoppe would ride around the park and town with him.

“These sports transcend ages,” Hoppe says in the video while getting emotional. “When you’re riding with someone, it doesn’t matter the age or skill level, you kind of create a little bond.”

McGuire went missing in March 2022. His family searched for him until he was found deceased in Indianapolis in December.

“We get to see a lot of kids come through here in all states, all ages, all backgrounds, all colors, all everything, and we love them all,” he says. “Everybody has their own challenges in life.”

Full slate of activities

What can you expect at this festival? 

Gates open at 3 p.m. with the FMX performance kicking things off. LFDF TV with Robert Routley will perform some insane tricks such as a 35-foot high jump over a 75-foot gap. There will be two shows for this, one at 4 p.m. and the other at 6 p.m. 

There will be flatland BMX tricks at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Hoppe describes these performances as ballet-esque with lots of balancing and very technical tricks. Bill Nitschke of Wonder Wheels BMX will be putting on this performance. 

Along with these crazy performances will be DJs such as Dap One, with other musical artists, food vendors, and local artists and vendors. 

To end the event, there will be a non-traditional BMX contest geared toward fun with a cool prize up for grabs. 

Slam City’s mission is, “To provide a safe, legal and positive recreational opportunity for multi-aged locals to grow their BMX/skating skills, while building self-confidence and enriching their lives by becoming a part of a unique community.” 

Ticket prices will be $10 at the door only. Family rates will be available as well. No pre-sale tickets will be available. 

If you are unable to attend this event, keep your eye out for the Art in the Skate Park with food, skating, and artwork the following weekend at Slam City, 1412 S. Anthony Blvd.