A planned “Skate Park Grand Opening and Community Block Party” is on the docket for Aug. 11 in Buckley.

The city has put together the event to help celebrate the opening of its new skate park, sandwiched between River Avenue and state Route 410.

Festivities will mesh with the already-scheduled Music in the Park concert, keeping things moving on both sides of the Buckley Youth Center.

The evening begins at 5:30 when competitors register for a skate competition and continues 15 minutes later with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The city’s former skate park – on the same site, immediately north of the Youth Center – had fallen into disrepair. Work crews leveled the former park and built a superior attraction in its place.

A 90-minute concert, featuring the Pan Leggo Steelband, kicks off at 6 p.m. At 7:45 the skate competition begins and, at 8:30, a standup comedian takes the stage.

While skateboarders are showing their skills, a DJ will provide music. On-site attractions will include a foam slip-and-slide and bounce house. There will be portable fire pits and the city will host a free barbecue with hot dogs and chips.

Partners in the Buckley event include staff from Puyallup’s All-A-Board Skate Shop, who will oversee the skateboard competition, and Enumclaw’s Mount Rainier Christian Church, which will host the field events and comedian.

Buckley City Council members helped make the event possible by granting a one-night exemption to the municipal noise ordinance. It is anticipated everything will conclude by 10:30 p.m.