'I Like Skateboarding' - Carl Tiley, 51

Bentley's Boards took Open Doors to the open street, hosting a second annual Skate Jam on Saturday. Coinciding with the Pottstown Open Doors event, local skaters put on a show for passersby. High Street pedestrians stopped to watch and head poked from doors and windows as the unmistakable sounds of skateboarding drew attention to the side street. Protected by barriers and traffic cones, local skaters took advantage of the rare opportunity to skate downtown without the constant threat of law enforcement or angry citizens putting a stop to the fun.

"Last year, the woman that owns the Gallery On High, Erika (Hornburg-Cooper), she was the one who approached me and asked if I'd be interested in blocking off Penn Street and having a little skate jam during the open house," said Bentley's owner Nate Gauger.

Hornburg-Cooper approached the borough for the permits necessary to block off the street and the Jam was on.

"Of course, I went along with it," Gauger said. "I think it's a great idea."

The gentle crimson slope of Penn Street provided a natural flow for the skaters as they rolled downhill toward three obstacles Gauger set up to skate on.

A low, medium length box used by skaters for grinding, manual tricks and other fun options was placed at the top of the course. Manuals, where skaters balance on their front or rear wheels, were the box trick du jour. A combination of balance, board control and finesse is necessary for these seemingly simple displays.

A pole jam -- a metal rail angling upward from the ground that can be rode up and launched from, was placed in the middle of the makeshift course. Beyond the pole was a long, low, flat bar. Participating skaters gathered at the top of the bricks, took turns riding down and attempted tricks on the obstacles.

A variety of tricks were thrown down, with the unique artificial pole jam being especially popular. A skate spot that is rare to find on the streets, many in attendance seemed to be riding one for the first time.

One skater in particular stood out in the crowd. Riding a homemade board, Carl Tiley came out to share the passion he's had since he was sixteen.

"When I first saw a skateboard, I was like, 'Man, I'm never riding one of them'," Tiley, 51, said.

After messing around with a board and practicing handstands in his room, Tiley took the trick to the streets. Feet in the air, rolling down Penn Street on both his hands and forearms, Tiley's now unusual style was a hit with the younger skaters.

Tiley enjoys today's skaters but is reluctant to join them.

"Yeah, I like skateboarding. But some of the stuff these younger guys do, I don't do. Like jumping up on those rails," Tiley said, laughing.

Gauger has seen a definite uptick in business due to the Jam and Open Doors and enjoys hosting an event for the community.

"It helps promote the sport," Gauger said. "And with all the people that are walking up and down High Street for the open house, it gets more people to notice my shop, to be like, 'Yeah, we do different things for the community ... It's not just some place trying to make money off the kids.'"