Motocross mayhem and skateboard shenanigans featured

This year’s Cornfest is bigger and better with two events guaranteed to entertain. Don’t miss the 3rd Annual Boarderline Skateboard Corn-Test and the ATB Freestyle Motocross by McMorran FMX. It’s full-tilt motocross mayhem and skateboard pandemonium indeed.

For three years, Cornfest has presented the ultimate skateboard competition, which is well attended by skateboarders from across the province.

“It’s great, it’s run by Boarderline and they come from out of Lethbridge and they’ve done it every year and as a chamber we give them some prize money to attract some skaters,” said Daniel Tams, Cornfest chair of the Taber Cornfest committee.

This year’s prizes include $600 for first place, $250 for second place, $150 for third place and $100 for best trick with many generous sponsors involved with this year’s annual event.

Ian Gauthier, manager of Boarderline in Lethbridge, noted the prize money donated by the Taber Chamber of Commerce brings a lot of extra attention to the contest and attracts skaters from many different cities in the province.

“We’re going to have people from Calgary, Brooks, Medicine Hat — all the surrounding area. There’s a lot of skaters that are going to be coming out for it,” said Gauthier, who originally hails from Ottawa, Ont.

To get the word out about the annual competition Gauthier said social media is utilized to let skateboard enthusiasts know about the event.

“So Facebook, Twitter and Instagram — we also do flyers that we hand out to different stores and post them around Taber and surrounding cities, as well, to let them know.”

Over the years, the skateboarding scene has definitely evolved and according to Gauthier, the scene always continues to grow.

The 25-year-old noted he has been skateboarding for the past 15 years and attributes the ever-growing skateboarding revolution to new skate parks being built from coast-to-coast including the new skate park in Lethbridge, soon to be built near Henderson Lake. Gauthier said he is a frequent visitor to the Taber Skate Park located at Confederation Park. “I go there all the time,” said Gauthier.

“The Taber Skate Park is really well done and it’s in a really good location. It just goes to show, how well the community is involved with their skate park and supporting the skate scene there. There’s a lot of really amazing skaters that have been coming out of Taber and doing really well in the whole skate scene across Canada.”

Gauthier invites those that may not be entering the competition to come on down to the skate park and witness top-notch skateboarding and there will also be a product toss for all the kids not participating. The 3rd Annual Boarderline Skateboard Corn-Test will be held at the Taber Skate Park Saturday. There is a $10 entry fee. Warm-up from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Times are 1-3 p.m. for 15 years of age and under, 3-6 p.m. for 16 years of age and older, 6-6:30 p.m. for Best Trick and 7-8 p.m. is the Prize Ceremony and wrap-up.

On top of a skateboarding competition this year’s Cornfest will also be featuring a motocross demonstration. Friday from 6:30-7 p.m. and Saturday from 12-12:30 p.m., 5-5:30 p.m. and 9-9:30 p.m.