STATION CASINOS BLOG (SCB): What’s Stand Up For Skateparks, and how can Las Vegas residents contribute?

Tony Hawk: (TH) Stand Up For Skateparks is one of the most family-centric events of the year in Las Vegas. There are fun games and activities in a carnival atmosphere, plus an incredible demonstration of vert skating. Also a performance by Ben Harper, who happens to serve on our Board of Directors. The event raises critical funds to help the foundation create public skateparks in Las Vegas and across the country. Las Vegas residents are welcome to join us by buying tickets at StandUpForSkateparks.org or donating directly to tonyhawkfoundation.org/donate/.

SCB: We hear that you have some friends who are celebrities and athletes joining us at Red Rock on November 5. Who’s scheduled to appear?

TH: The Vert Demo will include some of the best skaters and BMXers in the world–Mat Hoffman, Andy Macdonald, Kevin Robinson, Pierre-Luc Gagnon, Kevin Staab and Mitchie Brusco riding my personal ramp.

Visit StandUpForSkateparks.org for tickets & event details

SCB: What types of items can your guests bid on?

TH: The Live and Silent auctions will include all sorts of vacations, autographed jerseys from sports stars, signed guitars from Green Day, Jane’s Addiction, Pearl Jam, and others, a custom car and motorcycle that I helped design, plus exclusive experiences you can’t find anywhere else.

Keep up with Tony (if you can) on twitter @TonyHawk, and be sure to connect with Red Rock on twitter @RedRockCasino.

SCB: How long have you and your foundation been helping skaters in Vegas?

TH: We’ve been working to help build free, public skateparks across the U.S. since 2002. Stand Up For Skateparks was first brought to Las Vegas in 2009, and since then we’ve launched efforts to build two skateparks. This year we’ll launch number three.

Rub elbows with celebs, athletes on Nov. 5 at Red Rock.

SCB: From listening to your radio show, we know you’re a pretty huge music fan, and so are we. (We just wrapped up a big summer concert series with Weezer back in August), bands like Rancid and X have rocked SUFS in the past, but the groove is more funky this year. Got a favorite Ben Harper tune?

TH: Don’t Give Up On Me Now

SCB: You have an impressive fan base on twitter! Do you spend more time skating or tweeting with fans?

TH: Definitely more concentrated time on skating. My Tweeting is generally done right after an event or while traveling.

SCB: As a Dad, what’s a great vacation with you and your kids consist of?

TH: Whatever inspires them and gets them off the computer. We spent a week in Kauai last year and it was fun not being surrounded by all the distractions of our home life (including skating). I plan to take them to Australia next year, so I am hoping that will be the “greatest” vacation yet.

SCB: How often do you visit Las Vegas? What stands out as a memorable Las Vegas moment?

TH: A couple weeks ago I took all my boys to see Blue Man Group. Seeing their faces light up, and knowing that they truly “get” all of the nuances of a show like that makes me happy.

SCB: Everyone who visits Vegas has to try a game or two- what’s your game of choice?

TH: I believe craps has the best odds if you are patient, but I like Blackjack because it is more of a social experience if you get your friends at the same table.