Skate, compete, and celebrate T-Mack on Sept. 12

Join us at the City's skate park on September 12 for a free, all-ages event with skate contest and raffle with prizes, live music, food, and a celebration of Terrence McCrary Jr.

Bring your skateboard and your crew and drop in at Berkeley's skate park to spend the afternoon in a way that Terrence McCrary Jr. would have loved: surfing the concrete on four wheels.

Inspired by McCrary Jr., the late skateboard mentor for Berkeley youths known affectionately as "T-Mack," the skate jam will have open skating for all skill levels. The 18,000 square foot, concrete park includes a large oval bowl for carving, a fun box with ramps and rails, and areas for beginners.

A skate contest will challenge riders on three features, a big hip (a slanted ramp), a noping (a rounded concrete lip on a quarter pipe), and a ledge (a raised platform). We'll have prizes for the 3 winners who pull off the most complex tricks.

Even if you're not skating, come for:

• Food from Las Cabañas; De La Creamery; Brees BBQ;
• A raffle for skateboards, wheels, and more
• Live music from a DJ
• A cardboard art contest with prizes for the work that best commemorates Terrance.

When to skate, enter contests, and win prizes

This event welcomes skaters of all ages and skill levels. From warm-ups to raffles, here's how the day will roll out.

• 12:00 pm: Introduction/Event opening
• 12:00 pm-3:30 pm: Raffle starts and will be ongoing throughout the event
• 12:00 pm-12:30 pm: Warm up and practice for skate jam
• 12:30 pm-2:30 pm: Skate Jam
• 1:30 pm-2:00 pm: Music performance by Sidney Reeves
• 3:30 pm-4:00 pm: Closing words and event clean up

Prizes for contests and raffles are provided by sponsors 510 Skateboarding, Deluxe Distribution, and Vans. Refreshments will be donated by the McCrary family.

When traveling to this event, consider public transit, shared mobility options, or carpooling with friends. You could even skate down using the bike boulevards designed for calm streets.

If you are interested in volunteering at this event, call Tahir Dossett at (510) 981-6690 or email [email protected].

History of this event

McCrary Jr. grew up riding at the City of Berkeley's skate park, a central gathering spot for skaters. McCrary Jr. also mentored younger skaters as a Counselor-in-Training for the Recreation Division's Skate Camp.

After McCrary Jr's death in 2016, the City of Berkeley and his family organized the "T-Mack Skate Jam" to celebrate his impact, bring skaters together, and advocate against gun violence. In June 2025, the skate park was renamed the Terrence McCrary, Jr. Memorial Skate Park.

This is one of many free events offered by Berkeley's Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront Department.

Check out our Online Recreation Portal and community calendar to find camps, classes, and activities for all ages, year-round.

Whether you're coming to carve in the bowl, grind on the ledges, or simply hang out to the music, we'd love to see you on September 12.

Read about the T-Mack Skate Jam Recreation Event

• T-Mack Skate Jam; event registration
• Online recreation portal
• Terrence McCrary, Jr. Memorial Skate Park

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