Journeys Backyard Barbeque Tour in Lakewood on June 23 to benefit Broomfield Charity

Some of the world’s best pro action sports athletes will mix it up with some of the nation’s hottest new music artists as the Journeys Backyard Barbeque pulls into the greater Denver area on Saturday, June 23 in the south outer parking lot at Colorado Mills (14500 West Colfax Ave., Lakewood) from noon-7:00 pm, as one of it’s twelve national tour stops.

Serving up a heaping helping of today’s top action sports with a side dish of cutting-edge music,

this free nationwide sports and music festival will be grillin’ with the area’s hottest up-and-coming

bands competing on the tour’s 32 foot-long mobile music stage. Alongside, the action will also be

sizzlin’ as pro Skateboard, BMX and Freestyle Motocross athletes streak through the sky in action-

packed live demo shows in the tour’s 60,000 square-foot “action sports playground” of jumps and ramps.

The Metal Mulisha freestyle motocross team will fly and flip nearly three stories high, over a distance of almost 100 feet, as they run their custom-modified motocross motorcycles through an amazing arsenal of tricks, including can-cans, backflips, and the “kiss of death” (12:45. 2:45, 5:30).

Not to be outdone, some of the world’s best skateboard and BMX pros will perform the sickest tricks in the sport -- staged on a 48 foot wide Super Mini Ramp (1:15 & 4:00). Etnies will bring their team of internationally ranked skateboard pros to town for a rare, close-up experience with fans, including athlete autograph sessions after each performance. Athletes slated to appear at this tour stop include several of the world’s top skateboard legends, including Devine Calloway, Jose Rojo, Nick Garcia and Cairo Foster. Team Globe will also take to the ramp with Chris Haslam, and Ryan Decenzo - - with “godfather of modern street skating” Rodney Mullen doing a fan meet-and-greet.

The etnies BMX team will also ”take to the air” alongside their skate teammates, sailing their customized bikes off the tour’s ramp with hair-raising jumps and stunts. World-class riders slated to appear include Aaron Ross, Tony Hamlin, Chase Dehart, Brian Kachinsky, and Tom Dugan.

Adding some water to the mix, fans will be treated to wakeboard excitement – on land, as some of the world’s best pro wakeboarders from Reef perform thrilling live action shows (1:00 & 3:00)   in a 180 foot-long series of portable pools, ramps and rails. This unique Rail Jam set-up pulls riders airborne with a winch, giving fans an in-your-face experience just a few feet away from the action.

Alongside the blazin’ sports action, the music scene will also be roastin’ as an American Idol-style contest takes place on the tour’s mobile stage, the “Converse Battle of the Bands.” Local indie alt, emo, and pop-punk bands compete throughout the day with the winner judged by the audience via text message voting. Many of the breakthrough bands featured on this tour go on to hot careers and new recording contracts. The winning band will receive more than $500 in cash and prizes, including a year’s supply of Chuck Taylor high-tops for each band member. Fans can come away winners as well! After voting, winning fans will be text-messaged or emailed to let them know they’ve won a prize, including Journeys gift cards and Converse products. Local bands competing at the event include: “Saving Avery” (12:00); “The Field. The Ocean”  (2:00); and “Fulcrum” (3:15).

A sweet musical treat will be served up after the battle of the bands ends, as opening act “Hit the Lights”  takes to the main stage at 4:40 pm. Finishing things off, headliner band “Eve 6” hits the stage in a rare, free showcase concert from 6:00-6:45 pm.

Between catching scorching athlete demos and searing new artists, fans can chill with cool entertainment and free giveaways in the tour's interactive Fun Zone -- featuring more than 15 booths with free fun and games. When fans show up at the event, they can also “Check In’ on their Facebook account to be eligible to win “Journeys Jackpot” prizes throughout the day, including Converse Shoes, Journeys gift cards and more.

Limited-edition tour memorabilia will be also available at the Journeys merchandise tent, where fans can win free gear by playing the quarter pipe shoe toss game. They can also step into Journeys “Lucha Libre” photo booth, accessorizing themselves with fun props in front of a funky backdrop. Uploaded photos can then be customized, downloaded, saved and shared through Facebook, Twitter, or email.

At the Converse “Punk Your Chucks” tent, fans can use Sharpie pens to create their own original artistic design on a white, classic Converse Chuck Taylor high-top. The winning shoe from each tour stop will be entered into a contest, with the overall winning design having the chance to ultimately become a production shoe for Converse, to be sold at retailers worldwide. All “non-winning” shoes (250 pairs) will be donated to Broomfield-based A Precious Child, Inc., which is devoted to making a positive impact in the lives of disadvantaged and displaced children by improving their quality of life. The shoes will be distributed as part of their “Share-On” program provides footwear, clothing and other essentials to children in need throughout Colorado.

For updated information, call 303-279-1169 or visit www.JOURNEYSBBQ.com.