Santee church to make most of X factor

Courtesy photo Skateboarding Hall of Fame Christian Hosoi

Some of the best competitors in extreme sports are heading to Pathways Community Church for its East County X-FEST. This event features skateboarding Hall of Famers, free-style motocross and BMX X-Game Gold Medalists, performances, art shows, low-rider and classic car competitions, motorcycle shows, music, food, guest speakers, testimonies, an art show, and free giveaways. This one-day event will be held at Pathways parking lot on Aug. 26 from 3-9 p.m.

X-FEST event coordinator and pastor Dennis Martinez is a Skateboarding Hall of Famer, founder of the Training Center, a program that helps addicts stay off drugs, and ministers at prisons across the world. His life story is told in the movie “D.O.P.E.,” and he has been involved with “Off the Street,” a reality show about helping recently released prison inmates successfully reintegrate with society.

After Martinex married his high school sweetheart and moved to Santee, he said together they found themselves in the Pathways family and is especially excited to bring this event to East County.

“This is not church,” he said. “This is a free event for the entire family. People will be able to meet some of their favorite extreme
athletes, performances by athletes, and some great music.”

Along with Martinez, will be Skateboarding Hall of Famer Christian Hosoi, Skateboarding Hall of Famer and artist Steve Caballero, the “Godfather of Freestyle BMX” Bob Haro, Freestyle Motocross X-Games Gold Medalist and three-time X-Game Best Whip Medalist Jarryd McNeil, Pro BMX Chris Hughes, Team SOIL PRO BMX, 26-time World Arm Wrestling Champion Allen Fisher, UFC MMA Fighter Chris “The Crippler” Leben, and professional skateboarder Nitro Circus Beaver Flemming.

“Steve Caballero will be featuring some of his art, along with other artists,” said Martinez. “The performances are going to be great. Jarryd McNeil will perform two 20-minute shows. He is famous for his Superman Whip. Chris Hughes will be performing two shows. There will be an autograph session so that fans can talk to their favorite athletes. And we have some great music lined up.”

The music lineup features gospel-secular crossed rapper The Rep, Christian rapper Dontae, and Christian rock/heavy metal band In His Midst, and punk rock band The Heroes.

“We have a large parking lot here at Pathways, so there is plenty of room for everything that we have going on,” said Martinez. “This event is free for the entire community. We have great food, extreme shows, and there is something for everyone. It is going to a fun day of family-oriented entertainment.”

East County X-FEST will be held at Pathways Community Church located, 9626 Carlton Hills, Blvd. For more information visit pathways.cc/XFEST.