Skateboarders and BMXers from Hinton, Jasper and the surrounding area will have a chance to learn from pro riders this weekend, at the Mad Props Jam. 

The entire event is free for all riders, from Friday, Aug. 6 to Sunday, Aug. 8. There will be clinics with pro riders, a jam while kids wait for their clinics, live music and more. 

Jenifer Pergentile, one of the co-chairs of the event, said the idea is to engage youth and show them BMX and skateboarding without drugs and alcohol.

“Not all extreme sports (athletes) are hooligans,” she said. 

Jenifer and fellow co-chairs Chris Pergentile and Allan Bearf decided it would be a great idea to bring an event like this to Hinton youth, after organizing jams like it in eastern Canada. 

“We wanted to bring this to the kids of Hinton,” said Jenifer, a drug and alcohol councillor with Alberta Health Services. 

They partnered with Fusion Skateboarding in Hinton, Alberta Health Services, the Hinton Drug Action Committee and the Building Assets Together or BAT team. The Freewheel Bike Shop in Jasper is sending prizes to the festival as well. 

Jenifer’s husband Chris is one of few flatland BMX riders in Canada, a sport that involves a BMX bike on flat terrain instead of in a park. He will be doing a full day of clinics on Saturday.

“I like to watch the kid’s faces when they see the flatland stuff,” Jenifer said. The underground sport is gaining popularity, but for most riders in Hinton, it will be their first time seeing the unique and very difficult sport. 

On Friday night the action will start with a free youth appreciation barbecue, sponsored by Hinton’s SPCA, and a welcome from Hinton’s deputy mayor Stephen Mitchell as well as the pro riders. 

After the barbecue, three bands will provide live entertainment. The Denim Blues, The Weekend Kids and the Blame Its are all signed up for the Friday night party. 

On Saturday the clinics will kick off with the Flatland BMX riders. They will run from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. There are three available to sign up for throughout the day. While the clinics are ongoing, there will be mini-competitions for riders waiting for their clinics, or for those not interested in taking one. 

At 6 p.m. there will be a Battle of the Bands until 10 p.m. Five bands are signed up to rock a panel of judges made up of local celebrities. 

On Sunday the skateboard clinics will start at 12 p.m. and run until 6 p.m. The day will be just like the BMX day, with a mini-competition. Following the clinics, the Denim Blues will provide entertainment for the crowd. 

Throughout the weekend there will be prizes and giveaways. Jenifer said there has already been a huge response on the event’s Facebook page, which can be found by searching the Mad Props Festival on the site. So far 100 people are confirmed to attend, and Jenifer said everyone is welcome, from riders to kids and their families. 

“It’s a youth focused event, but we want everyone to come,” Jenifer said. 

To guarantee a spot in one of the six clinics for BMX and skateboarders, Jenifer recommends pre-registering by calling her at 780-865-8263. So far the first set of clinics are already half full. 

The festival has been advertised as far as Whitecourt, Alta., and Jenifer is expecting riders from Jasper and other areas. 

“I think people are well aware of it.”