More than 3,000 skaters turned up in Kettering, Ohio to be part of history last Saturday as Skate Plaza pioneer Rob Dyrdek kicked off the grand opening ceremonies of the world's first Skate Plaza. Mainstream camera news crews and reporters were on hand, as were representatives from TransWorld, Thrasher, Slap and The Skateboard Mag. Thousands of skateboarders, their families, and media---all were on hand for his once-in-lifetime event, the grand opening of a new skateboard landmark.

Mid-morning, Dyrdek and DC President Ken Block each gave speeches to start the day's events. "Rob has taken his idea, championed it, and done an incredible job," said Ken in his speech. "This project has been a lot of work and has been tough, and for Rob there's no money to be made from all those hours of hard work. Thus, the word “champion” really applies to this situation because it was a real labor of love---his main satisfaction comes from knowing that he's helped make a difference in the sport and lifestyle that he lives and loves. And, I feel, that I and the whole skate community need to thank him for that."

What grand opening would be complete without a ribbon-cutting ceremony? After Rob and Ken had given their speechecs, Rob and Kettering mayor Marilou Smith sliced through the red ribbon, and then everyone prepared for the Red Bull "Hammers Versus Bangers" Best Trick Contest, which packed a $50,000 prize purse.

Ohio weather put a mild damper on contest plans, however, as the 90-degree summer heat and stifling humidity gave way to light rain. No one could skate, so contest entrants talked to assembled skaters, signed autographs, and hung out in the air-conditioned Red Bull athlete trailer.

Among the attendees: Rob Dyrdek, Josh Kalis, Darrell Stanton, Lindsey Robertson, Chris Cole, Eric Koston, Paul Rodriguez, Tommy Gunz, Stefan Janoski, Ryan Sheckler, Ruben Garcia, Jody Smith, Joey Brezinski, Evan Hernandez, Grant Taylor, Terrell Robinson, and Caine Gayle.

There were a bunch of guys who showed up for the grand opening but didn't enter the contest, like Ryan Smith, Devine Calloway, Brian Wenning, Ryan Gallant, Ronnie Creager, Pat Channita, and Mike Maldonado. Tim O'Connor stepped up to handle emcee duties.

The rain slowed and then stopped by about 1 p.m., and the ground was soon dry enough to skate, so with the grand opening ceremonies officially over, Red Bull's "Hammers Vs. Bangers" contest got underway. The contest ended at 4, and after the judges tallied scores, Dyrdek announced the winners and awarded trophies. (For more details on the contest, see the story below.)

At this point, Dyrdek officially opened the Skate Plaza to the public. Three thousand rabid skateboarders had witnessed the grand opening ceremony and seen some of the world's best skaters compete in a re-invention of the best trick contest---but they hadn't been able to skate the place. So when the barriers were removed from the entrances, the crowd exploded into the Skate Plaza and began shredding everything in sight.

Around 5 p.m. the crowds began to disperse. The camera and news crews departed, and the athlete tents and VIP area was taken down. But the skaters were busy breaking in a new landmark.

For them, the grand opening only ended several hours later when the sun went down.