Photos: House of Vans Snowboard Demo in Central Square

Photo by Alex Lau

For a glorious—albeit short—two hours, a little bit of the Olympics came to Central Square. As part of  the three-day House of Vans festival hosted by Vans and the Middle East, Brookline Street was shut down to host a snowboard demo featuring some of New England’s top snowboarders.

A regulation-size snowboard ramp took up the block as riders competed to showcase their most impressive tricks. The sudden appearance of the ramp caught the eyes of Cambridge residents, with many stopping to cheer on athletes and photograph the festivities.

While the event was meant to be a simple demonstration of tricks, the competitive nature of the riders came out to play. Nick Poohachoff, a sponsored member of Vans’s professional team, could be overheard telling the other participants, “Remember, this is a competition, not a demo. Show us what you got.”

And compete they did. The audience was wowed with 360s, nose grabs, and backflips. The demo was followed by sold-out performances from Odd Future’s Earl Sweatshirt and XXYYXX at the Middle East.

Miss the show? Check out some of Wednesday night’s festivities below:

Photo by Alex Lau

Cambridge residents looked on as snowboarders displayed their skills on a temporary ramp set up outside the Middle East.

Photo by Alex Lau

The second day of the House of Vans festival starred an impromptu snowboard park on Brookline Street along with a performance by Odd Future rapper Earl Sweatshirt.

Photo by Alex Lau

New England’s best snowboarders showcased their tricks on Wednesday as part of the House of Vans festival.

Photo by Alex Lau

Backflips, ramp slides, and ollies were a common sight outside of the Middle East on Day 2 of the House of Vans Festival

Photo by Alex Lau

Riders cheered for their fellow competitors as they went down the ramp facing Mass. Ave.

The final day of the House of Vans festival (Thursday, February 20) will spotlight 8-bit rock band Anamanaguchi and Baths at the Middle East, 472-480 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. The event is free with RSVP at vans.com/hovboston.