The Extreme Am will celebrate five years this year when regional skateboarders converge on Spencer's East Leach Park Skate Park to test their skills in four different competitions for trophies and prizes on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 16-17.

For five years, elementary through adult age skateboarders have been competing in the street run, big air, vert and best tricks events in northwest Iowa's premier skate park.

(File photo) Join these former contestants. Skateboarders will compete for the fifth straight year in the Extreme Am V at Spencer's East Leach Park on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 16-17. The event is free to competitors elementary through adult. T-shirts will be given to the first 100 to register Saturday morning.

The event will remain free of charge to competitors as the result of several local corporate sponsorships.

T-shirts and other items will be given to the first 100 skateboarders to register Saturday morning.

"This is a great way to wrap up summer," said Extreme Am Committee chairperson Randy Cauthron. "I can't believe it's been five years. I'm glad that all of the skateboarders in the area continue to take part. I know this is something that they look forward to each year so we hope to be able to keep making it available.

"One of the keys for us is keeping it free to the kids. We don't want anyone to not be able to participate because they can't afford some entry fee. This isn't about making money, this is about celebrating the great park we have in Spencer and celebrating the talent of the area skateboarders."

Trophies will be awarded to the top finishers in each competition and age bracket, with additional prizes being awarded to the top three finishers in the street competition.

New this year, Positively Spencer Youth is sponsoring Chaos on Wheels for two bike stunt shows Sunday afternoon, at 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. in conjunction with it's annual, free Extreme Am Family Bike Ride which will take place between 1-4 p.m.

Free bicycle helmets and water bottles will be given away to those who take part in the Family Bike Ride while supplies last.

PSY will also offer a free meal at the conclusion of the ride, prior to the final performance by Chaos on Wheels.

Saturday night, at approximately 6 p.m., A Life Echoed will perform a free concert in the East Leach Park band shell following a free will donation meal.

Back this year, photographer Wai Li will be on hand taking pictures of all the skaters in action.

Food will be available on site both days, with all preliminary rounds taking place throughout the day on Saturday, leading up to the semi-finals and finals on Sunday. The official trophy presentations will conclude the event on Sunday around 5 p.m.

Due to lack of participation in the past two years, the rollerblading competition has been dropped from the event.

* For questions about the event, please contact Randy Cauthron at (712) 363-1902.

EXTREME AM V Schedule of Events

Saturday, Aug. 16

10:30 a.m. - Competition Registration

12 p.m. - Competition Begins

5 p.m. - Free meal in the park

6 p.m. - Free "A Life Echoed" Rock Concert @ Bandshell

Sunday, Aug. 17

12 p.m. - Competition Registration

1 p.m. - Competition Semi-finals

1-4 p.m. - PSY Family Bike Ride

2:30 p.m. - Chaos on Wheels Bike Stunt Show

3:15 p.m. - Competition Finals

4 p.m. - Free meal under purple tent

4:30 p.m. - Chaos on Wheels Bike Stunt Show

5 p.m. - Trophy Presentation