Legendary skateboarder, Tony Hawk, and members of the Birdhouse Skateboards team returned to Athens on September 26 and performed a free demo for skateboard enthusiasts and local residents alike.

The crowd of about 2,000 braved the gloomy weather and downpour to catch a glimpse of the Birdman himself, Tony Hawk, and others at the Skate Park of Athens.

The Athens demo marked the last official stop of the Midwestern leg of the Birdhouse World Tour.

Hawk previously stopped by Athens in 2005 to celebrate the opening of the Skate Park of Athens. The Tony Hawk Foundation provided a $10,000 grant to help fund the construction of the park on Lexington Road.

That last time Hawk performed, 3,000 to 4,000 people came out to watch the man who put skateboarding back on the map. MTV also came out to record and broadcast the showcase.

But returning to the park five years later had a different meaning for Hawk.

“It’s exciting to see how far skating has come and how well accepted it now.”

For Hawk, skateboarding is more than just a hobby.

“It really gave me my sense of identity and sense of community, a place that I could hold on to,” said Hawk. “Had I not had it, I doubt I’d be doing this today.”

That sense of community inspired Hawk to start the Tony Hawk Foundation, which sponsors skateboard parks in low-income communities. For Hawk, skateboard parks can serve as a sort of oasis for kids who may feel left out and can give them hope.

And hope is what those kids got when Hawk appeared. Escorted by a handful of policeman as he made his way into the park, a large crowd followed right behind him. Camera flashes and yells of excitement filled the air. Hawk’s appearance sparked smiles and widened eyes: the Godfather of skateboarding was actually on Athens soil in front of their very eyes.

Most people had waited at the park for two hours before Hawk and others came out.

Some sat on the curb in front of the Birdhouse tour bus with their cameras ready. Other fans, some as young as 3 years old, skated around the park. But they were all anxiously awaiting Hawk’s arrival, from toddlers to grandparents.

Once they came out, Hawk and the other skaters, including his son, Riley, skated for about 30 minutes. Each took turns landing tricks on the park’s ledges and bowls. But whenever Hawk skated, the audience was mesmerized.

He was the star of the demo. Everyone kept an eye on Hawk, making sure not to lose him among the other skateboarders and to see his every trick. But it wasn’t hard as he was the only skater wearing a helmet.

Despite being the first skateboarder to ever land a 900, a trick that consists of two and a half revolutions, during competition, Hawk still remains susceptible to falls.

A young skateboarder’s mother gave her son words of encouragement at the sight of Hawk’s spill: “See honey, he falls too. It’s okay.”

But after landing some tricks, including his signature handplant, Hawk and team members stopped skating as the rain picked up. Some audience members quickly left as the small monsoon was starting while others stayed, hoping to get an autograph or a picture of the Hawk.

Even though the demo was cut short by the weather, most were happy to even see one of the best skateboarders in the world skate in Athens.

But stops in towns like Athens are special to Hawk as well.

“It’s a more intimate interaction with the audience. We’re skating with them, not for them.”

Despite the heavy rain, Hawk remained outside, signing autographs and taking pictures with fans, a testament to how dedicated Hawk is to his fans, and how dedicated his fans are to him.

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