Unity Fest 2024: Four Days of Queer Skate Chaos in The Bay

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, became ground zero for the wildest queer skate/art/music mashup the scene has ever witnessed. For four days straight, the second Unity Fest drew skaters from all over, delivering an unforgettable ride full of chaos, creativity, and skateboarding memories that will go down in history.

The festival, crafted by Jeff Cheung and Gabe Ramirez, founders of Unity Skateboarding, was an epic celebration of queer and trans culture. It unfolded across the city with the perfect trifecta of skate sessions at Lake Merritt, Rockridge, and SOMA Skate Park. But this wasn’t just about skating—the fest also featured art shows, the premiere of Marie De Courcy’s video part, and nightly parties that kept the energy high. Highlights included the debut show of Toad (Chandler Burton’s band) and a wild set by Ryan is Lit, blending skate culture with raw musical energy in a way only Unity Fest can.

If you survived the four-day marathon, you’re basically The Energizer Bunny. The full schedule pushed everyone to the limit, but the stoke never faded. The festival wrapped up with a killer market and a fingerboard contest at Double Down shop, followed by one last fired-up session at SOMA, where the energy was through the roof.

Can’t wait for the next one? You’re not alone.

Now that the article on Thrasher is out, you can see the full gallery here on my blog. Scroll through for a glimpse into the life-altering experience that was Unity Fest 2024, Thanks Everyone for letting me take your photo.

Enjoy!

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