Skaters, bikers show growing popularity of extreme sports at Miamisburg event

MIAMISBURG — Dozens of teenagers showcased their skills at the Extreme Park Skate Jam and BMX Slam event Saturday afternoon in Miamisburg.

Saturday marked the second year the event has taken place and key organizer Ron Campbell told News Center 7′s Michael Gordon that he thinks nearly 1,500 people were in attendance today, up from the 600 from 2019.

The attendance was not the only thing to double. Campbell, who is also the senior pastor at The Ark Church, said event sponsors jumped from 20 to 50.

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Campbell said the turnout proved that extreme sports like these were gaining popularity in the Miami Valley.

While the event was one day this year, Campbell told News Center 7 that it could more to multi-day event in the future.

Additionally, Campbell hoped the event was also another step to giving the park a complete makeover. The park is one of the state’s oldest.

“It is at a point now where it needs some TLC, whatever that looks like,” Campbell said.

The event drew professional athletes within the sport who spoke with the next generation that participated today.

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“This town really gets behind this. When I drive around I see banners and me on the news. You’ve got the grandparents and the kids. How many events except baseball and football where they all go. It is important,” Brian Sumner, international profession skateboard said.

Younger skaters and BMX bikers at the event showcased just how much the popularity of the extreme sports are growing in the area.

“Dayton needed something like this very badly. We have been trying to plan something like this and to have someone else come do it is a dream come true for everyone,” Tyler Wogoman, of Beavercreek, said.

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