NORFOLK, Neb. -- This Saturday, Good Life Action Sports hosted its first event at the Norfolk Skate Park since its opening in 2020.

The Conflagration Skate Competition highlighted the best in skateboarding from Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska.

Executive Director Anthony Thompson says the name of the competition stems from every skater burning their own fire. He said the competition will give much-needed support to an overshadowed community. 

"It's all about that love and support that is skateboarding and you know it's the skaters who actually support each other," said Thompson. "So now that things are changing a little bit and it's in the Olympics and the Dew Tours in Des Moines, Iowa. You know, there's a lot more recognition going on in skateboarding, so we're hoping to be a part of that."

The competition zeroed in on the high level of athleticism and creativity of skateboarders, Thompson said.

He said it also served as a way to remember those in the skate community who advocated for the sport.

A bench was presented in honor of local legend "Frank," who died on the last day of construction of the skate park.

"He was funny. He was great. His smile would brighten up the day," Jax and Waylon Griffith said about their dad. "I think he'd like this a lot."

A Skate Like Frank award will be up for grabs in his memory and will be presented by his two sons.

"And Skate Like Frank means more than just skating awesome and having some style," said Thompson. "It means you support that community, you support the skateboard community, you help younger people learn, and you're there for the skate community." 

The Conflagration started up with qualifiers at 11 a.m. featuring skaters like Omaha legend Mike Benner who said how important this competition is to a small town like Norfolk.

"I think it's really cool to know that a like small town in Nebraska can have a skatepark of this level, cause this is you know a world class skatepark in a small town," said Benner. "I think that's really neat to see."

The Conflagration Skate Competition ended with the finals at 2 p.m, where the best showed their most creative tricks.

In addition to the skateboarding action, attendees were able to win raffles and prize packages.