Mississauga to Welcome First-Ever JACKALOPE Action Sports Festival
Ontario’s First Edition of JACKALOPE to be Headlined by International “Golden Ticket” Winners
Mississauga, May 21, 2024 – The JACKALOPE Action Sports Festival is officially Ontario-bound: North America’s most exciting exhibition of skateboarding, bouldering, breaking and more is coming to Mississauga’s Celebration Square and Square One Shopping Centre through July 12 to 14, 2024. This exciting announcement represents JACKALOPE’s first foray into the province, realized in collaboration withVisit Mississauga.
“Our event has been embraced by the action sports community throughout North America, and we’re very proud to bring this celebration of the sports we love to Ontario for 2024,” said Micah Desforges, founding president of TRIBU and promoter of the JACKALOPE Series. “We are pleased to have the participation of renowned athletes for the first edition of our festival in Ontario.” JACKALOPE, a TRIBU property, was created in Montréal (Québec) in 2012 to shine a spotlight on action sports and create opportunities for communities to come together and celebrate their passion. Since then, thousands of Canadian and international athletes have participated in and made the festival their own. Stars have been born at JACKALOPE, and many of its disciplines are now represented at the Olympic Games.
Thrill-seeking Ontarians will be treated to a free adrenaline fix as they take in a packed program, featuring skateboarding (both street and vert ramp), breaking, bouldering and freestyle motocross. With live entertainment and delicious eats, the festival promises to be memorable for athletes and fans.
To drive home the excitement of the festival’s Ontario debut, JACKALOPE has partnered with Mike Boisvert, the Skater Nomad, to offer four “Golden Tickets” to some of the most exciting young names in skating today. These rising stars will compete with all expenses paid in the JACKALOPE Mississauga Vert Ramp and Street Competition.
These headlining skaters include:
- MIA K, a 10-year-old phenom from Australia, who is bringing her signature joy and passion for the sport as she leaves her home country for the first time and takes on the imposing Vert Ramp.
- Kenji Leon Jordan, who at only 12 years of age is already leaving his home in Hua Hin, Thailand to perform on the world stage.
- Orapan Tongkong, the 26-year-old known to those in her scene as “Ora” or “Phaeng”. Born in Thailand but raised in Belgium, Ora has been skateboarding since 2010 and attributes the sport to helping her navigate some of her toughest times. Ora believes in reaching out and empowering the next generation of kids through skateboarding and will look to do so at her first appearance in Canada.
- Still searching for the final Golden Ticket winner, JACKALOPE remains dedicated as always to uncovering the gem of a skateboarder. Stay tuned !
“Mississauga – you will not want to miss this weekend in July!” said Victoria Clarke, CEO of Visit Mississauga. “We are preparing to welcome Jackalope, an incredible action-sport Festival. With the rising profile of skateboarding, bouldering and breakdancing, especially since their inclusion in the Paris Olympics, it’s a real win for the city and will create a ‘must-see” weekend for the next three years. We invite everyone from across the Ontario, Canada and beyond to come experience the energy rush and dynamic culture of action sports at Jackalope Mississauga this summer!”
“For the first time ever, area residents now have the opportunity to experience and be inspired by extreme sports right here in the heart of Mississauga,” said Stephen Gascoine, Director of Square One Shopping Centre. “Square One is a vibrant community hub, offering diverse retail, dining, and entertainment options. Co-hosting the Jackalope Festival provides an unmatched experience for action sports enthusiasts globally and across southwestern Ontario.”
The full program and schedule for JACKALOPE Mississauga will be announced throughout the next few months. Attendees can try skateboarding, bouldering and many exciting activities. The event will feature DJs, a pop-up marketplace, food trucks, after-parties, and more. With significant initial interest already noted, JACKALOPE is set to return to Mississauga in 2025 and 2026.
For more information, visit JACKALOPE Mississauga.
An invitation of Visit Mississauga and a TRIBU initiative. The event is possible with the support of Arc’teryx, Electrolit and Collective Arts. The competitions are sanctioned by Up The Bloc and Breaking Canada. Media: SBC Magazine.
THE JACKALOPE SERIES
JACKALOPE has grown from action sports initiation tours across Canada and is now exporting its concept to Virginia Beach (VA, United States) and Mississauga (Ontario, Canada) as well as sponsoring international skateboard events in London (England), Miami and New York (United States), Prague (Czech Republic) and more. JACKALOPE also has a window onto the world with its TV platform and BLOG.
JACKALOPE VIRGINIA BEACH: MAY 31-JUNE 2, 2024
JACKALOPE MISSISSAUGA: JULY 12-14, 2024
JACKALOPE MONTREAL: SEPTEMBER 13-15, 2024
TRIBU
Tribu builds solid relationships thanks to the power of adrenaline. It helps organizations forge stronger ties with youth and adults who are young at heart by creating daring, integrated experiences that get the adrenaline flowing and forge indelible memories. TRIBU is making sure that its generation will always have ways to have fun, celebrate and get inspired. www.tribu.co
VISIT MISSISSAUGA
Visit Mississauga is the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for the City of Mississauga. The organization is industry-led and responsible for developing a tourism strategy and leading tourism marketing and development efforts for the destination. The organization’s mandate of implementing the City of Mississauga’s Tourism Master Plan Tourism Mississauga is committed to promoting local businesses and coordinating large-scale events within the city. To learn more about Visit Mississauga, or check out other exciting events coming to Mississauga; go to www.visitmississauga.ca
