Innoskate Festival coming to downtown this summer

An event that brings together the Smithsonian Institution and USA Skateboarding will be coming to downtown Sioux Falls this summer.

Innoskate will bring “a dynamic exploration of invention, creativity, fun and freedom of expression.”

It will be held July 7-9 at Levitt at the Falls after stopping July 5 in Pine Ridge.

Discussions and live concerts featuring the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra ensemble and other national and local artists will examine the connections between music, skateboarding, creativity and innovation.

In addition, professional and Olympic skateboarders, inventors, scientists, artists and local community leaders will offer a variety of demonstrations, conversations and hands-on activities that explore the impact of skateboarding innovations in American culture.

Leading figures will discuss skateboarding technology, skateboarding in the Native American community at Pine Ridge, issues of diversity and inclusion, skateboarding’s role in promoting physical and mental health, and nurturing the growth of the skate community in Sioux Falls.

“The Innoskate team is excited to inspire young audiences, with a particular emphasis on engaging the youth of Sioux Falls and surrounding communities,” said Jeffrey Brodie, deputy director of the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center.

“Innoskate motivates young people to be active contributors to their society driven by technological change and to appreciate that invention and innovation happen every day, often in unexpected places.”

Skateboarding demonstrations, public skating and learn-to-skate clinics will take place throughout the festival. Young people will unleash their creativity through hands-on invention activities, art education programs, music demonstrations, and health and fitness activities while learning how to build skate obstacles and skateable art. As always, Innoskate will conclude with a “Best Trick” contest.

“Since our first site visit to Sioux Falls, we knew there was an opportunity to do something really special with Levitt at the Falls and the skate community in South Dakota,” said Josh Friedberg, CEO of USA Skateboarding. “Our ongoing collaboration with the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center is a cornerstone of our Skateboarding for All program, and this summer’s Innoskate event is going to be incredible.”

The participating institutions and artists will host a series of live programs and demonstrations sharing different perspectives on skateboarding throughout each day. Innoskate Sioux Falls will feature free concerts on the Levitt stage, including performances by the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, Dessa and Meet Me @ The Altar, as well as a special “A Visual Sound” skate film in a concert presentation.

“Levitt at the Falls is thrilled to be working with the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center and USA Skateboarding to bring Innoskate to our community and to our friends in Pine Ridge,” said Nancy Halverson, executive director of Levitt at the Falls. “Music is an integral part of the skateboarding culture, and we look forward to exploring the rich intersection of music and sport.”

Innoskate was established in 2013 as a collaboration between USA Skateboarding and the Lemelson Center to celebrate skateboarding, invention, creativity and freedom of expression. The program includes large public festivals, hands-on STEAM-based invention activities, public programs and demonstrations, research and documentation of skate history and acquisition of skate objects for the Smithsonian national collections.