Extreme Thing to fuse sports and music at Desert Breeze Park
Nevada’s largest action sports and music festival is set to return to Las Vegas.
The Clark County Parks and Recreation Department plans to host Extreme Thing from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. March 29 at Desert Breeze Park, 8275 Spring Mountain Road.
The event is set to include wrestling, skateboarding, BMX dirt track riding, vendors and live performances by Taking Back Sunday, Finch, The Used and more, according to Brian Saliba, special events supervisor.
“We will have four stages with a lineup of 24 bands and 10 DJs,” Saliba said. “Adrenaline Unleashed will be doing some professional wrestling. There will also be a professional BMX dirt jump, with appearances by BMX riders Colton Satterfield and Ryan Guettler.”
In addition to professional sports, Vegas Am Jam is set to host amateur competitions at 11 a.m., when residents of all ages can register to compete in BMX, skateboard and scooter contests, according to recreation specialist Nate Jaramillo.
“We’ve had kids as young as 4 to guys who are in their 50s and 60s,” Jaramillo said. “Competitors are judged based on style, technique, skill and overall use of the course.”
Each division is divided into beginning, intermediate and advanced categories. Participants are set to complete tricks they’ve learned on their own and are comfortable with performing.
“It’s just a fun, laid-back competition,” Jaramillo said. “It’s a great amateur event for action sport enthusiasts.”
Vegas Am Jam expects to host about 150 competitors this year. Registration is set for 9 a.m., costs $10 and includes a ticket into the event. Helmets are required.
“There are prize bags for the top three participants in each category,” Saliba said, “but they’re really basically competing for bragging rights.”
About 55 vendors are expected to offer food and beverages, including event sponsors Domino’s Pizza, Monster Energy Drink and Qdoba Mexican Grill. No alcohol will be sold.
Extreme Thing was first hosted at the Whitney Recreation Center, 5712 Missouri Ave., in 1996. According to Saliba, the first few events started with 300 to 500 attendees.
“We started as a neighborhood event in the gym and parking lot,” Saliba said. “Every year, it kept growing exponentially, and we moved to Desert Breeze Park in 2001.”
Clark County expects between 15,000 and 18,000 attendees this year, although Saliba said it’s possible the event will draw larger crowds.
“I can’t say that we’re having anything new this year,” Saliba said. “We’re pretty much focusing on the music, talent and sports, but we are bringing back the mobile zip line and a bunch of miscellaneous activities.”
Saliba recommends carpooling and wearing sunscreen. Outside food is not allowed inside the venue; however, attendees are permitted to bring one factory-sealed bottle of water. Pets, coolers and chairs are also not permitted.
“There will be ample food and vendors on site,” Saliba said. “ATMs will also be available throughout the venue.”
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit extremething.com or call 702-455-8200.
Contact Southwest/Spring Valley View reporter Caitlyn Belcher at cbelcher@viewnews.com or 702-383-0403.
Extreme Thing
General admission tickets for Extreme Thing are $20. A Limited Combo Package is $35 and includes a general admission ticket, commemorative T-shirt and event poster.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit extremething.com or call 702-455-8200.
