JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Kona Skate Park announced today that it will be celebrating its 40th anniversary with a festival taking place from June 22nd-25th. Skateboarding legends, special guests, and bands will all be featured at the event. Martin Ramos, Owner of Kona Skate Park, says that the celebration is about more than just skating.
“It’s more than just about riding your skateboard or participating. It truly transcends the surfing community, the music community, the art community, and the whole culture that surrounds skateboarding in Jacksonville” Ramos said.
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Skateboarding has experienced its fair share of highs and lows throughout the last 40 years and Kona Skate Park has seen them all. Ramos said that at one point in the late 80s Kona was the only skate park open in the country. And that without the Jacksonville community, it would not have been possible for Kona to withstand those tough times.
“There’s been some lonely times out here and times we didn’t know what would happen the next day, month or year. But the community always stepped up. This community has always supported us and has enables us to still be here today” said Ramos.
Alan Verlander, Executive Director of the Jacksonville Sports Council, grew up in Jacksonville and came to Kona regularly. He said when he looks back at his childhood memories, he cannot think about it without Kona. Now as an adult, Verlander, believes that Jacksonville brands like Kona are special “I think you have so many brands in our city that have stood the test of time and Kona has to be one of those brands that stick out.”
Companies and brands that sustain success across generations are rare. Verlander believes that brands in Jacksonville like Kona should be recognized. “The things that we do have that are generational like Kona, we’ve got to celebrate those.”
For more information on the 40th anniversary celebration you can go to http://www.konaskatepark.com/