Motown ready for Throwdown

Get prepared for one of Morgantown’s biggest block parties to kick off the upcoming winter sport season.

Local outdoor store Pathfinder WV is hosting its sixth annual "Motown Throwdown," sponsored by Burton Snowboards, Friday and Saturday on High Street.

Saturday’s main event, which will shut down Pathfinder’s block on High Street from 6-9 p.m., will give around 40 skilled skiers and snowboarders from across the country the opportunity to practice and compete for a $1,000 cash prize.

Cook Bros. Construction will professionally build the featured ramps, and BOPARC will donate ice shavings from the Morgantown Municipal Ice Rink to get the party started.

To complete the full effect, a company from Raleigh, N.C., will travel to the event to turn the ice into snow using a commercial snow machine.

"So far we’ve have more interest from snowboarders entering the competition, but we still have room to have skiers enter as well, because ideally we would like to have 20 of each," said Andrew Walker, a Pathfinder WV coordinator. "Right now we have about 25-30 snowboarders and about 5-10 skiers."

Walker said these professional competitors have applied to participate in the event during the last few weeks and the top applicants have been selected to enter.

Pathfinder will continue to accept professional applicants who may be interested until the minute the event begins.

"We’ve had really great turnouts in the past. It truly is like a giant block party," Walker said. "We’d love to get High Street as jam-packed as we can."

To kick off the weekend’s events, Pathfinder will team up with Burton South and Red Bull to host an official video premiere party on the first floor of Bent Willey’s bar at 8 p.m. tonight. The 18-and-older bash will feature a showing of the Burton flicks "13" and "Evaporate," as well as live entertainment from DJ Zimmie.

"It’s going to be great entertainment from DJ Zimmie, who got his start in Pittsburgh and has gotten big in the dubstep scene playing in Portland and Los Angeles," Walker said.

The night will also feature various drink specials and Burton giveaways.

Despite this week’s uncharacteristically warm weather, Walker said he actually prefers these conditions for this weekend’s events.

"Last year it actually snowed, which is strange for a late October event," Walker said. "But I think when the weather is nice, it’s a better experience and creates a larger turnout."

For more information on any of the Motown Throwdown events, visit www.pathfinderwv.com, or stop in the Pathfinder WV store located at 235 High St. in downtown Morgantown.