Bands, BMX riders highlight Downtown Live! Rock 'n' Ride

September 08, 2007|By ERIN JULIUS

Top-of-the-line BMX riders showed off their stunt moves Saturday during the Downtown Live! Rock 'n' Ride.

"The bikes were amazing," said Jordan Miller, 14, of Hagerstown. "It's the stuff you see on TV."

Jordan and his friends spent most of the day at the event, which was held behind the Baltimore Street Station car wash.

Brianna Green, 13, wanted to see the bands that performed Saturday.

"Rocking out" was the best part, she said.

Jayden Butts, 14, went to the event for the bands, which included Dropout Year, The Hint and Hotspur.

Also performing was Calisus, the winner of the July 28 Downtown Live! Battle of the Bands.

Jayden also was impressed by the BMX riders.

"They were amazing," she said. "I wish I could do that."

Brianna and Jayden were among a group of teenage girls dancing in front of the stage.

Between 300 and 400 people dropped by the event throughout the day, said Toni Britton, director of marketing and events for Demcore Entertainment.

A BMX show was a natural fit for downtown Hagerstown, Britton said.

"Every day, I see kids on BMX bikes," she said. "I knew it would be a hit down here."

Saturday's crowds were "pretty good," but mellowed out as the day went on, said Dan Sieg, one of the six BMX riders who performed.

The riders were the "cream of the crop," and have performed at the X Games and other national competitions, Britton said.

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