JACKALOPE Action Sports Festival Coming to Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau announced a roster of premier athletes participating in an all-new action sports event, JACKALOPE, taking place June 2 – 4, 2023. The festival promises to be quite different from its Montreal counterpart, as the main venue for all competitions will be right on the beach at Neptune’s Park at 31^st Street. Legendary skateboard pioneer Tony Hawk will offer a demonstration on June 3^rd with Mitchie Brusko, Collin Graham, Reese Nelson, Tom Schaar, Elliot Sloan and Bucky Lasek, and more are slated to compete in a street skateboarding contest during the action-packed weekend.

“We’re thrilled about JACKALOPE making its U.S. debut in Virginia Beach and look forward to all the excitement it brings along with it,” said Nancy Helman, Director of the Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Our city not only has the best weather this time of year but has an amazing collection of hotels, restaurants and activities for visitors coming to be a part of the action. We know you’ll have a great time, and we look forward to hosting an amazing event that spotlights the energy brewing in our seaside city.”

The excitement around JACKALOPE kicked off early on March 24 in Venice Beach, CA, as Long Island, NY, skateboarder Chad Caruso began his cross-country skateboard ride, bound for the first edition of JACKALOPE in Virginia Beach. Caruso skateboarded 3,000 miles to Virginia Beach, raising money for addiction awareness among youth, and will arrive in time for the brand-new edition of JACKALOPE.

"JACKALOPE is the largest event of its kind in Canada. By bringing our concept to Virginia Beach, we become the only event of its kind to operate on both sides of the border," says Micah Desforges, founder and president of TRIBU, which produces JACKALOPE. "We now offer action sports communities the opportunity to grow, meet in different settings, and have brand new experiences."

This is the first time JACKALOPE festival will be held in the United States. The public is invited to witness world-class competitions and demonstrations by world-renowned skateboarders and boulderers, plus base jumpers leaping from atop the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront hotel. Spectators also can check out additional skimboard, freestyle motocross and beach volleyball competitions featuring hundreds of athletes of all ages. There is no charge to attend the events. For more information, visit JACKALOPE Fest.