EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Every 92 Minutes, A Gun Kills A Child In America. Shooting Victim's Friends Mourn. These are headlines seen nearly every day in nearly every major newspaper and television news. The Skate Against Violence BladeWalk is an event that will strongly raise awareness of the positive aspects inline skating can bring to the lives of youth and to give people of all ages, races, religions and backgrounds a fun, healthy alternative they can enjoy. The event will also raise money to build a skating area at Lake Merrit for the public.

This may not end violence in the street, but it can have an enormous impact in the minds of both young and older people who will benefit from the social interaction and the physical conditioning skating will bring into their lives. This will also help to continue the revitalization of Oakland’s image and bring a great, fun free experience to Lake Merrit .

GOALS

1. Generate positive press and media coverage promoting skating.

2. Use skating to make a strong statement against violence.

3. Raise money to build a skate area and complete a skate path for the public.

THE BLADEWALK

The Skate Against Violence Blade/Walk is an event that will see over 5,000 skaters, scooters, walkers and joggers from throughout the San Francisco Bay Area skating and walking around Lake Merrit. Participants will be out seeking pledges from parents, neighbors, friends and businesses for their skate, scoot, walk or run around the 3.1 kilometer course.

Over 250 world-class inline racers will participate in a 10 kilometer race around Lake Merrit for cash prizes.

DATE

The BladeWalk will take place on Sunday October 15, 2001 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M.

LOCATION

The Blade/Walk will take place on a 3.1 mile course around Lake Merrit in Oakland, California. The parking lot at the Lake Merrit Boathouse.will serve as a staging area and as the exposition center.

THEME

Community involvement through skating

CAUSE BENEFICIARY

Money raised from the Blade/Walk will go to Oakland Parks and Recreation to build an outdoor skating area at Lake Merrit and to complete a skate pathway around Lake Merrit.

INLINE EXPOSITION

There will be an inline exposition at the event with inline retailers, civic and community groups and other related companies. This will be placed in the parking lot of the Lake Merrit Boathouse. The exposition area will feature the INLINE PAVILION, where the walkers and the general public can experience new skates. There will also be a stage where performances and public presentations will be made throughout the day.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

SKATE AGAINST

BLADE/WALK Over 5,000 skaters, scooters, walkers and joggers will seek out

pledges from parents, neighbors, friends and businesses for

each lap they can skate or walk around the Lake Merrit course. .

TARGET

CONSUMER Health and fitness oriented adults and youth. Inline skaters,

sport enthusiast and their families between the ages of 6 - 60+.

VENUE The event will take place on a closed portion of the roads

surrounding Lake Merrit in Oakland, California.

EXPOSITION We will present an inline exposition at the Lake Merrit

Boathouse parking lot. The Exposition will feature skate and

sport related booths along with other community groups.

The "Inline Pavilion" will be the be the highlight of the

exposition area that will include a stage where skaters will

perform at times throughout the day.