Poe Gets Her Day! A Celebration Parade for Local Hero
With a newly renamed skatepark and homecoming parade, the name ‘Poe Pinson’ is one that will go down in Fernandina’s rich history. The 19-year-old finished in fifth place in women’s street skateboarding and described the experience at the Olympics in Paris as unforgettable.
Mayor Bradley Bean officiated at the skate park naming ceremony -- now the Poe Pinson Skate Park -- and presented Pinson with a key to the city.
The city of Fernandina Beach held a parade Friday for Poe Pinson. Hundreds of people flocked downtown to witness the memorable parade put on by the Friends of Fernandina Skate Park that had nearly every club showing support for Poe -- from a large pirate’s ship to Jeeps decked out in skateboarding decals and a halfpipe-on-wheels. The love for the skateboarding couldn't be more obvious.
The 19-year-old Pinson skated around the floats, waving and chatting with people. She stopped multiple times to sign autographs and show her appreciation to kids, who cheered her on the parade route. When adoring fans weren’t surrounding her, Poe performed a trick or two, and those same fans applauded her eagerly.
Facebook pages were overflowing with photos and vidoes of pride for Poe Pinson. Those who attended posted a plethora of photographs of the parade, as well as pictures with the celebrated skateboarder.
Pinson also had some words of advice for young girls who are now looking at her as a role model. News4Jax interviewed her before the parade began.
“Honestly just to keep skating,” she said. “Skating is for everybody regardless of what people tell you. There is a lot of jealousy involved, I feel like, but just do your thing. Everyone is different, everyone learns stuff differently don’t compare yourself.”
Many kids brought their skateboards to the parade and got the chance to skate with their new hometown hero.
The parade itself was one for the books. It began with the upbeat Fernandina Beach High School band to kick things off. Not only was the energy electric, but the support Fernandina Beach has shown for the young skateboarder is a testament to its powerful sense of community.
With Poe Pinson skyrocketing skateboarding into the limelight for Fernandina Beach, the city renamed the skate park by Main Beach to "Poe Pinson Skatepark." And with all the new attention on skateboarding, there are plans to build a new skate park there.
