Jibbin’ on Huron St

By LAYLA ASLANI, DMG Writer

HOUGHTON - Combine food, trucked-in snow, sweet tricks and a Mr. T expression and you've got the Jibba Jabba Rail Jam Snowboard & Ski Competition.

The event is slated for Saturday on Houghton's Huron Street, next to Rhythm. Any snowboarder or skier can participate, but participants under 18 have to bring a guardian to sign a waiver, said organizer Joe Schwenk of Rhythm.

Sign-in begins at 10 a.m., with warm-up at 11 a.m. and the competition at 2 p.m. The event will last until approximately 7 p.m. and snow fences will be set up alongside the street to allow for optimal viewing.

"It's pretty much an excuse to have fun, be outside and hang out with your friends," Schwenk said, adding the event will include special hours at downtown businesses, food and music. "It's going to be really good for the downtown area, it's going to get more people in town."

Participants will be judged by a professional snowboarder representing Option Snowboards and two other Option representatives. Schwenk said Option members were picked as judges because they don't know anybody competing and therefore won't be biased. Participants will get two runs each, with the best snowboarders and skiers from the amateur and advanced classes awarded with cash and merchandise prizes donated by sponsors.

"It's pretty much the best run, there will be a bunch of different obstacles you can ride in a run," Schwenk said.

Obstacles are being made by the Rhythm crew and include a 20-by-8-foot steel wall ride and a 21-foot roller coaster box - a box with a wavy top.

"We're making a roller coaster box that we're going to donate to Mont Ripley Ski Hill," Schwenk said.

"Jibbing" is a term used for snowboarding tricks, and the Rhythm guys expanded on it for the event name, borrowing a quote from the '80s actor and wrestler, Mr. T.

"We wanted a name that's pretty funny, and we think Mr. T's pretty funny," Schwenk said.

For more information about the event, contact Rhythm at 483-0697.

Layla Aslani can be reached at laslani@mininggazette.com.