The countdown is on for the X Games qualifier in Boise. On June 9 and 10, professional skateboarders and BMXers will drop into Rhodes Skate Park in Boise to compete for their chance to qualify for the X Games championship.
"We're hyped on it," Ibrahim Kanneh, a high school student and skateboarder, said. "To see all the pros and everybody come and see all of them skate, it's going to be super sick."
Director of Boise Parks and Recreation Doug Holloway says the city hoped the skate park would become a destination for events like this, they just didn't know it would happen so soon. The park opened in April 2016.
"We didn't have any idea it would attract ESPN, you know, the world leader in sports," Holloway said.
The event is expected to bring in up to 4,000 people, which requires a lot of coordination between city departments and ESPN organizers.
"We partnered with a great group of exceptional people in Boise," X Games Event Director Brian Kerr said. "You've got the Parks and Recreation service, you've got police and fire and the Mayor's Office; they're all behind the event as well. So you bring that all together and you've got a winning formula."
Holloway said this qualifier is an opportunity to show off what the city has to offer.
"We're looking forward to the public coming out and enjoying a great event and showing the world that Boise is one of the most livable cities in the country," Holloway said.
The event is free and open to the public. Tickets for bleacher seats will be available for purchase in the coming weeks.
