Community Corner

Get Ready for Extreme Youth!

Be there by 10 a.m. for a medi-vac helicopter landing, crowd-pleasing demos from local law-enforcement agencies, and incredible skateboard and BMX bike stunts, all family-friendly and free.

Is there someone in your family who'd like an up-close view of a helicopter? At Extreme Youth on Saturday, a Cal-Star medi-vac copter will be landing at Las Animas Park between 10-11 a.m. and will remain on display for kids to see.

In addition, kids are welcome to get close to vehicles and emergency apparatus from the California Highway Patrol, sheriff's department, SWAT teams, Cal-Fire and the U.S. Army, as well as the Gilroy fire and police departments.

Gilroy firefighters will demonstrate how they remove crash victims from wrecked vehicles by using the Jaws of Life on a donated car. 

Find out what's happening in Gilroywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"The crowd always likes that," said Mark Tarasco, a Gilroy police officer and one of the founders of Extreme Youth. "It's a public-safety show that lets us use a lot of awesome tools."

The Extreme Youth event also offers incredible stunts on skateboards and BMX bikes throughout the day.

Find out what's happening in Gilroywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

, Tarasco and Gilroy firefighter of the year Steven Hayes recalled speaking at City Council meetings at the age of “14 or 15.” Back then, they were pleading for officials to give them a place to skateboard or BMX.

Years later, the two men are expecting 1,500 people—500 of them kids—at the annual “Extreme Youth” event on Saturday at the Gilroy Skate Park.

“It’s the once-a-year Little League day for skateboarders and BMXers. It’s the one day of the year where they get to show what they can do,” said Tarasco.

Extreme Youth will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at

Contest registration is 8-10 a.m., and the event is free.

The event, which features local skateboard and BMX talent and live music, is free. Don’t forget your safety equipment if you’re skating or riding (it’s required).


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