The CAPITAL Rail Jam Weekend

Words:Brian Papworth
Photos: Courtesy of Columbus Magazine

It is the vision and drive of the entire Central Ohio scene, to come together for a weekend like the Capital Event. It is the grassroots, local events like these, that help to fuel continued growth in our industry. Months of planning paid off with a movie premier and rail jam, that stoked the fire with-in our entire scene from reps and retailers to locs and groms, bringing a focus on the Ohio freestyle scene like never before. The region is ripe with raw talent and passion that is developing to rival that of any region in the US.

Friday- THE CAPITAL EVENT

Thanks to the support of the Midwest ski and snowboard communities, we showed Level 1’s Eye Trip and FODT’s ,The Arena to a sell out crowd of over 300 at the Ohio State University’s Gateway Film Center. Marc Franc Montoya, Derek Dennison, Dylan Thompson, and Ahmet Dadahli signed autographs in the entryway to the cinema, prior to the premier for hundreds of loyal fans. Following the showings of the movies, chartered buses transported the crowd to an old church turned club for an after party. DJ MFM played a set while the team members from The Flow Skate Park demo’ed the Vitamin Water skate features on the dance floor of the BoMA. The entire night was free of charge thanks to Vitamin Water, Columbus Magazine, BoMA, and Mad River Mountain

Saturday- THE CAPITAL RAIL JAM

Members of the local shred community headed by Mad River Mountain employees, transformed Central Ohio’s Largest Concert Venue into a miniature terrain park offering seven different lines for skiers and riders. A special ice/snow blower coupled with 80,000 pounds of ice coated the lawn of the venue with several inches of white. With temperatures topping out below forty, the snow stayed fast all day long, as over 500 skiers and riders enjoyed this early season opportunity. Nearly 1000 curious onlookers packed the venue to listen to music from MFM, The Skratchmatik Crew, watch the Demo by Tech Nine Pros Derek Dennison, Dylan Thompson, and The Capital Park Team Riders. Louie Vito, Ahmet Dadahli, MFM, Trevor Andrew, Derek Dennison, and Dylan Thompson judged the rail jam, hung out with the crowd, signed autographs and passed out free swag for hours. Long time ripper and local celeb, Rob Knight Emceed the event keeping the crowd pumped on the technical riding that made one skier and one rider $1500 richer. Following the event the crowd moved inside the LC Pavilion for a fashion show and an awards ceremony, that showered the crowd with over $3000 in cash, 10 snowboards, and enough gear to outfit an army. Trevor Andrews’ band Trouble Andrew dropped a hammer from the stage with the guitar heavy sound that ended the night on a high note. In retrospect, a good time was had by all and everyone went home tired.

Congrats to 1st Place Skier Brad Bulzan $1500