On March 16 the first major public fundraising effort will be held for the Emry Park skatepark project.

“It’s the community coming together to do something with the kids to give them something to do,” said Jennifer Edwards of Red Rabbit Events, which is planning the Emry Park Skatepark Fundraiser.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the T.J. Davis Recreation center skatepark and inside the facility in case of rain.

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Since announcing the project last August and getting a greenlight from Roanoke Rapids City Council in October to begin fundraising, there has been $16,000 raised of a $70,000 target, said Justin Kerr, who has been leading the effort to have some of the abandoned tennis courts at Emry used as an entry level DIY skatepark. “Things are coming along,” he said. “It’s been way better than I expected. I keep hearing a two- to three-year project. I feel like it will take half that time.”

The March fundraising effort, he said, “I think this will be the physical appearance to show we’re serious about it.”

Edwards and Kerr have gained an ally in the project from Raleigh’s Delicious Skate Shop, Kerr said, who along with sponsors Discount Automotive, Tracy Story for Sheriff and ServePro, have donated raffle items including skateboards, T-shirts, hats and skate shoes.

“They know what it’s like to be a skate kid,” Edwards said of Delicious.

“They want to pass that joy around,” Kerr said.

Raffle tickets are also being sold for a Henry Golden Boy .22 lever action rifle, a Weldon Mills Distillery bourbon barrel and Weldon Mills gift sets.

In addition to the raffles, Edwards said crafters will have booths, there will be food trucks, a bounce house and face-painting. She said crafters and food truck owners are encouraged to donate a portion of their proceeds to the fundraising effort.

Throughout the event skaters will be on hand to give pointers and there will be a game of SKATE, the skateboarding version of HORSE, Kerr said. Prizes will be awarded.

For more information contact Kerr at 252-308-3733.