While snow hasn’t really fallen in the city yet, that didn’t stop local skiers and snowboarders from competing over the weekend.
Now going on five years, the Rollin’ Thunder Rail Jam trucks in snow from local arenas to the store’s Algoma Street parking lot in order to raise money for the Parkinson Society of Canada. Riders launch themselves from a ramp on rails and platforms in order to attempt the best trick. Organizer Daniel Fiorito said the event is unique in the city.
“It’s still just a have fun kind of contest. Thunder Bay doesn’t really get to see anything like this,” he said. “Everyone likes just being stylish, hanging out with friends and kind of helping each other out learn new tricks.”
While it’s fun for the riders, it’s also a spectacle for people passing by.
“Algoma usually slows down quite a bit because it is such an odd sight to see,” Fiorito said.
That’s good news for the cause as people usually stop in and end up donating. The jam has raised more than $10,000 in five years.
