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Fairs & Festivals
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October 12 - 14, 2007 - Miramar Air Show (Miramar, California) Miramar air show is the largest in the country, attracting millions of people from all over the United States. The show not only attracts the die-hard veterans to the aerospace industry but also the young families and kids throughout the San Diego area. It’s the only chance for civilians to get up close and personal with the machinery and history of the US armed forces air divisions. Another cool thing about the show is we were set up right on the airstrip. Every airstrip scene from the movie “Top Gun” was filmed in the same location as our G-Ramp. Miramar is always a privilege to visit and it’s a perfect place for us to celebrate the got milk? message!
Another special fact about this weekend is that it’s the last event of the Gravity Tour for 2007. We have traveled across the great state of California and reached hundreds of thousands of people along the way. 2007 really has been a great year and I must say that we went out with a bang!
When we arrived at the show on Friday we were treated to huge crowds and the thunderous roar of jet engines. For anyone who has never been to an air show (such as myself) it’s impossible to describe how loud it is! It’s amazing that some of these jets, not much larger than an automobile, have the ability to shake windows several miles away. It was truly a treat to be so close.
Also, the hospitality on the base was amazing. It’s easy to tell that all the marines are very proud of their home and excited to play hosts with open arms. Everyone was really excited to see us, as they knew the show was soon to follow. To say the athletes blew them away was an understatement.
We had one of our best lineups all year for this show. Handling BMX duties were the highflying Jay Eggleston, who was blasting 10-foot airs all weekend long. Koji Kraft was the other half of our duo and he amazed the crowd all weekend with his wizardry like trick combinations and his ultra technical style. On the skateboard side of things we had young gun Adam Taylor, who of course was the favorite of all the teenage girls in the crowd.
However, showtime was serious business as he showed why he is a top 10 threat every contest. Bringing the big tricks in skateboard was Danny Mayer, who did not disappoint with his 540’s, front side 540’s, and many variations. He truly is a vert powerhouse and showed it. Rounding out the crew were our two inliners, Marc Englehart and the Tazmanian Devil, Shane Yost. Each of these guys have been known to send the crowds into a frenzy with their huge amplitude and many spin combinations. This weekend was no exception.
Each day we were lucky to have the Thunderbirds as a lead-in to our show. The Thunderbirds are an acrobatic crew who fly for the Air Force. They fly six F-16 jets in some of the most amazing formations at near supersonic speeds. It truly was an amazing thing to watch them gracefully rule the skies. However, each day it created an absolute riotous situation as the crowd begged for more. It was up to us to deliver the goods and be the closing ceremonies. For our last show on Sunday, the crowd got a taste of the best action sports had to offer. Jay Eggleston blasted an absolutely humongous 540 that was well over 8 feet out. I am amazed each time I see him ride with how high he does those. Koji followed with a tail whip to flair to set up air to double tail whip!!! Everyone was stunned to see him through it with such a windy show! After that, Marc and Shane through a doubles run for the ages, with both guys doing huge 540’s over each other.
After they were done, Shane upped the anti even more by stomping a double flat spin!!! It was turning into absolute madness as the crowd would not let up, and Danny Mayer was put on the spot. Being the true professional he is, he put the people over the edge by landing a kick flip 540!!! Emcee Andy Critchlow could not announce as he was jumping up and down for about 10 seconds afterwards! It truly was the perfect way to end the perfect year.
Thanks once again to the Michael Freeman and the California Milk Advisory Board. They continue to believe in action sports and together we spread the word about milk and its healthy properties. Also, a big thanks to Dino Richardson at the MCAS for all his great hospitality this weekend. We really enjoyed being their guest and can’t wait to return! It has been a great end to an amazing year but it does not end here. We look forward to seeing all of you in 2008!
-- Jason
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July 27 - 29, 2007 - Gilroy Garlic Festival (Gilroy, California) It had been a few years since the got milk? Gravity Tour had appeared at the Gilroy Garlic Festival. For those of us who had been to this festival before, we were eager to return. As we pulled into town the first night, the smell of garlic filled the air, and everyone was more than ready for the culinary delights that would be waiting for us over the weekend.
The athlete roster for this weekend was Shane Yost and Marc Englehart (inline), Danny Mayer (skateboard), Gabe Weed, Dave Brumlow, and Jay Eggleston (BMX). When we arrived Friday morning, there was already a huge crowd waiting for us. Usually at any event, the first day is pretty slow until later in the afternoon, but not here. We were greeted by at least 350 people, watching the band play and asking us how soon we were going to ride and skate. The ramp was set up right next to the stage, and our shows basically alternated around the band schedule.
The first show was amazing. Even though the sun was beating down on us, the athletes came through and the crowd responded accordingly. Each day was set up to where we had 3 shows, and each day the shows were busier and busier.
Saturday was the stand-out day of the weekend. All of the shows were great, but the 2nd and 3rd shows were amazing. Gabe Weed was pulling flawless runs during both shows, Danny Mayer had the crowds oohing and ahhing before the shows even started, with his kickflips and 360 varials, and he even tried a few kickflip Mctwist’s. Dave Brumlow and Jay Eggleston impressed the crowd with big airs and 540’s, and on Saturday, these guys even put together a BMX doubles run. Shane Yost and Marc Englehart stole the show on Saturday though. They were both firing off just about every spin trick they knew, but they took it a step further. They both went for a trick called a “double flat spin”. Now this is a trick that is mostly saved for competitions, it is very rare that it is attempted in a show. Marc went first on this trick and almost pulled it. After knee sliding down the ramp, the crowd cheered him on to try it again, and the second go around, he pulled it. The crowd erupted in applause, then it was Shane’s turn. Shane also faltered on his first attempt, but was also coerced by the audience to try it one more time. It took 2 more tries, but Shane landed the double flat on the 3rd attempt and it didn’t end there. After landing it, he went straight into a flat spin 900, then pulled a fakie 1080, something only Shane has ever landed.
It was a scorching hot weekend, but a great weekend of amazing shows and awesome food. Special thanks to all the fans in Gilroy, who participated in our shows all weekend long. Next stop, Miramar Air Show in San Diego.
-- Jimmy C
Check out photos from this show
April 27 - 29, 2007 - Stockton Asparagus Festival (Stockton, California) It was blazing hot when we were in Sacramento on Friday morning for our school show at Oakmont High. When we got to Stockton, it was just as hot, if not hotter. That trend would continue throughout the weekend. Friday afternoon, we had two shows, one at 4 and another at 6. We were all pretty excited to get there, because the Stockton Asparagus Festival is one of our favorite festivals to perform at, each and every year. The athletes were also excited, because it was a chance for them to skate/ride a bigger ramp than the truck ramp we bring to the high schools. After being on the smaller metal ramp for several weeks, it was time to ride some big transitions and kick things into overdrive.
Saturday morning, we came to the festival a little earlier than planned. We did some local live television interviews, and Fabiola da Silva was able to sample some asparagus with the reporter. After the asparagus sampling, the reporter decided to put on some pads and try skateboarding for his last live shot. He was off to a decent start, but the minute he hit the transition of the ramp, the board shot out from underneath him, and he was on his back. He was a good sport about it, and was unhurt, and we all had a good laugh.
In addition to skateboarding newscasters, we had a new neighbor at the Asparagus Festival. There is a man named Jim, from Huntington Beach California, who has a unique pet. He has a 5-year-old, 75 pound bulldog named Tyson, and Tyson loves to skateboard. I’m not making this up, this bulldog really skates. As a matter of fact, he was the opening act for each one of our shows. His owner will push the board, and Tyson will run along side it, then jump on it, and carve down the sidewalk. It’s hilarious to see. We tried to have him do it on the bottom of the ramp, but he didn’t care for that much, and kept trying to chew on his skateboard.
The action on the ramp all week long was absolutely amazing. Gabe Weed was fresh off a two week vacation, and rejoined the tour this weekend. You would think after a two week vacation, you would need a little extra warm up. Not Gabe! He got right back into the routine and it was like he never left the tour at all. Marc Englehart was pulling 1080’s at will, and even pulled a few double flatspins. Fabiola was blasting huge airs, and pulling her patented “inverted 900’s”. Anthony Furlong was consistent as ever, and he and Marc Englehart had some ridiculous doubles runs. Tom Haugen pulled a double tailwhip every single show. Danny Mayer had made a bold statement on Thursday night. He told us he would land a “kickflip 540” during every show at the Asparagus Festival. We thought this would be a tall order to fill, but he made good on his promise. He landed one every show, and the crowd would go absolutely nuts. In addition to all the fun on the ramp, our old friends at Crystal Cream and Butter came out all weekend to give out free milk.
It was a great weekend, but it was also a short weekend. They say time flies when you’re having fun, and we had a blast because it seemed like the whole weekend went by in a matter of minutes. A big special thanks goes out to Darryl from Crystal Cream and Butter, for passing out the free samples all weekend long. Another big thanks goes out to the staff of the Stockton Asparagus Festival, and all of the patrons/fans who came to the event this weekend. You all are a fine bunch of people to work with, and you know how to celebrate one of your local crops with style. As for the fans that come to our shows, you all rule, more than you know. I know I said it during every show, but I’ll say it again. WE LOVE COMING TO YOUR TOWN!!!!!!!!! We’ll see you all next time.
-- Jimmy C
Check out photos from this show
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